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intlieCttpoflrttigork 

THE  LIBRARIES 


SELECTIONS 


rrom  the 


Diary  and  Correspondence 


or 


Joseph  S.  Elkinton 

1830-1905 

Printed  ibr  Ipnycjte  ^;4i'?tribution 


Philadelphia 
1913 


X 


L  .  HS<L 


Any  correspondence  in  relation  to  this  book 

should  be  addressed  to 

WILLIAM  T.  ELKINTON 

121  South  Third  Street,  Philadelphia 


Press  of 

The  Leeds  &  Biddle  Co. 

Philadelphia 


^ 


TO 

MALINDA    ELKINTON 

THIS  BOOK  IS  INSCRIBED  TO  HER 
WHO  WAS  SO  LOYALLY  AND  AF- 
FECTIONATELY MENTIONED  IN  ITS 
PAGES  AS 

"  MY  MALINDA" 

NOW,  IN  THE  FULLEST  MEASURE  OF 
LOVE  AND  APPRECIATION,  THIS  OF- 
FERING COMES  FROM  THOSE  WHO 
CALL    HER 

"  MOTHER  ■' 


FOREWORD 

Joseph  S.  Elkinton  left  a  large  amount  of  valuable 
material  in  his  private  diary,  containing  also  much  de- 
tailed and  personal  matter,  a  part  of  which  was  not 
copied  in  his  time,  hence  the  papers  were  not  in  such 
shape  as  to  be  easily  accessible  to  any  who  might  wish 
to  read  them. 

Both  the  copied  and  original  manuscripts  have  been 
carefully  examined  and  an  attempt  made  to  cull  from 
the  bulk  the  most  important  and  interesting  items.  Some 
of  the  selections  may  not  seem  particularly  valuable,  but 
were  chosen  to  serve  as  connecting  links  in  making  a 
continuous  narrative,  or  to  show  some  personal  charac- 
teristic of  the  man,  or  to  give  an  insight  to  his  varied 
experiences.  This  service  has  been  undertaken  in  accord- 
ance with  an  expressed  willingness,  on  his  part,  that 
others  might  profit  by  his  experiences,  and  also  as  an 
offering  to  his  memory.  M.  C.  L.  B. 


INTRODUCTION 

In  reviewing  the  life  of  Joseph  S.  Elkinton,  several 
characteristics  come  vividly  to  mind.  A  rare  pastoral 
gift,  coupled  with  universal  sympathy  for  the  poor  and 
needy,  stands  out  pre-eminently.  The  Scripture  text, 
which  he  most  frequently  quoted,  was  "True  religion  and 
undefiled  before  God  and  the  Father  is  this,  to  visit  the 
fatherless  and  the  widows  in  their  affliction,  and  to  keep 
himself  unspotted  from  the  world."  The  appropriateness 
of  this  quotation  will  appear  in  the  pages  to  which  this  is 
an  introduction. 

His  sense  of  humor  and  ability  to  adapt  himself  to  all 
classes  of  men  gave  him  many  opportunities  for  social 
intercourse. 

We  remember  how  highly  he  was  esteemed  by  the  men 
who  were  in  his  employ.  No  one  ever  entered  the  works, 
with  which  he  was  connected  as  owner  for  a  half  century, 
who  commanded  more  sincere  respect,  unless  it  were  his 
brother-in-law,  Ephraim  Smith. 

As  he  attracted  to  himself  those  of  "low  estate,"  so 
also  his  personality  was  felt  by  men  of  position  and 
culture.  When  he  walked  the  street  his  distinctively 
Friendly  dress  and  grave  but  kindly  face  often  drew  to 
him  many  who  were  strangers.  He  stood  five  feet  ten 
inches,  with  broad,  slightly  stooping  shoulders.     Upon 

vii 


viii  INTRODUCTION 

his  white  brow  he  wore  a  Hght,  broad-brimmed  beaver 
or  brown  straw  hat  in  summer,  and  a  black,  stiff,  silk  hat 
in  winter. 

As  he  sat  at  the  head  of  the  meeting  for  worship  his 
appearance  was  impressive,  his  prayers  particularly 
weighty,  and  his  worshipful  manner  gave  a  sense  of 
strength  and  solidity. 

In  his  ministry  his  main  concern  was  always  to  preach 
the  unsearchable  riches  of  Jesus  Christ  and  to  testify  to 
his  deity.  Sometimes  his  thoughts  seemed  to  come  faster 
than  his  words,  and  his  words  became  too  rapid  for  dis- 
tinct enunciation,  but  they  were  accompanied  by  a  sol- 
emnizing power  not  easily  described. 

His  ability  to  time  the  conclusion  of  a  meeting,  while 
the  life  was  still  to  be  felt,  was  unusual ;  some  of  his  best 
utterances  have  been  made  when  announcing  the  end  of 
a  meeting  for  worship,  preparatory  to  entering  upon  the 
business  of  a  second  meeting. 

His  native  powers  of  mind  were  quite  above  the  aver- 
age. As  a  mathematical  student  he  stood  at  the  head  of 
his  class.  His  attitude  toward  education  in  general  was 
liberal. 

Few,  in  his  circle  of  Friends,  could  meet  with  people  of 
other  denominations  and  convey  more  truly  appreciation 
of  what  they  recognized  to  be  good  in  all. 

His  experience  at  Westtown  Boarding  School  was 
rather  unfortunate;  then  scarcely  in  his  teens,  he  was 
too  young  to  contend  with  the  bad  example  of  older  boys 


INTRODUCTION  ix 

and  the  strong  natural  impulses  of  his  own  heart,  un- 
assisted by  close  parental  oversight.  He  referred  to  this 
situation  later  in  life,  as  the  one  error  in  his  father's 
judgment,  for  which  he  had  suffered  many  regrets, 
although  he  appreciated  the  motive  which  prompted  his 
parents  to  place  him  there  so  young.  By  returning  to 
Westtown  at  fifteen,  to  demonstrate  a  better  purpose  in 
life,  he  gave  evidence  of  a  radical  change.  The  education 
and  life-long  associations  he  enjoyed  with  Friends, 
together  with  his  own  strong  convictions  determined  the 
sphere  of  his  chief  interest  and  activities,  as  also  his 
spiritual  point  of  view. 

Possessed  of  a  vigorous  constitution  and  an  equally 
strong  will  he  performed  an  enormous  amount  of  labor, 
physical,  mental  and  spiritual,  during  sixty  years  of  active 
life.  It  has  been  remarked,  by  more  than  one,  that  he 
would  have  made  an  ideal  military  leader,  or  an  Arch- 
bishop, had  he  not  enlisted  under  another  banner. 

As  he  grew  to  manhood,  the  responsibilities  of  a  family, 
a  growing  business  and  the  call  he  felt  to  speak  in  the 
name  of  his  Lord,  gave  him  many  opportunities  to 
develop  his  character  and  to  test  his  faith. 

The  group  of  Friends,  with  whom  his  father  was  most 
intimate,  were  of  the  conservative  type  and  his  sympa- 
thies were  ever  closely  allied  with  these.  Thus  in  the 
sixties,  when  the  tension  was  greatest  in  Philadelphia 
Yearly  Meeting,  we  find  him  standing  firmly  for  con- 
servatism.    But   that   heart-sympathy,    which    infinitely 


X  INTRODUCTION 

transcends  all  the  opinions  and  preferences  of  the  mind, 
enabled  him  to  associate  graciously  with  Friends  and 
others,  of  every  type.  And  thus  he  anticipated  "the 
better  day"  and  world-wide  movement  toward  unity, 
which  so  happily  characterizes  the  new  century. 

His  interest  in  the  Indians  was  very  natural  and  strong, 
as  he  was  born  at  Tunesassa,  N.  Y.,  adjoining  the  Alle- 
gheny Reservation,  where  his  father  had  devoted  fifteen 
years  of  his  life  to  the  establishment  of  a  school  for  the 
children  of  the  Seneca  Nation.  His  repeated  visits  to 
these  and  other  Indian  tribes  is  recorded,  at  some  length, 
in  the  memoirs  which  he  has  left. 

The  love  he  felt  for  the  red  man  and  the  black  man 
brought  him  into  contact  with  the  leaders  of  both  races. 
The  colored  bishops  were  always  glad  to  have  him  in  their 
councils.  He  visited  the  victims  of  a  terrible  storm  on 
the  Sea  Islands  of  South  Carolina,  to  render  what  assist- 
ance he  could  to  the  colored  survivors.  But  humanity 
appealed  to  him  whenever  in  need,  as  his  arduous  labors 
in  behalf  of  the  Doukhobors  abundantly  illustrate. 

Four  times  he  visited  these  Russian  peasants  in  their 
Canadian  settlements,  after  he  was  seventy  years  of  age. 
To  go  from  village  to  village  and  from  house  to  house, 
traveling  hundreds  of  miles  over  the  open  prairie  in  order 
to  comfort  those  to  whom  he  could  not  speak  in  their 
native  language,  extending  sympathy  and  encouragement 
as  well  as  distributing  food  and  clothing,  is  very  typical  of 
his  lifework.     The  Canadian  officials  valued  his  services 


INTRODUCTION  xi 

enough  to  send  for  him  more  than  once,  when  they  could 
not  manage  these  difficuU  immigrants. 

Joseph  S.  Elkinton  was  a  man  of  undaunted  courage 
and  great  perseverance,  with  clear  convictions.  An  in- 
stance of  this  appears  during  his  visit  with  Joseph  Walton 
to  the  St.  Regis  Indians  living  on  the  Islands  of  the  St. 
Lawrence  River.  They  braved  the  opposition  of  the 
Roman  Catholics,  as  well  as  the  dangerous  ice  and  waters 
of  the  St.  Lawrence  to  hold  meetings  among  these  Indians 
in  their  houses.  And  when  the  conviction  prompted  them 
to  leave  the  field  of  their  labors,  at  once  they  acted  no 
less  resolutely — crossing  the  fresh  ice  on  foot — a  very 
perilous  undertaking.  Their  guide,  a  fine  Indian  chief 
and  Methodist  minister  of  middle  life,  was  poisoned 
the  same  day,  upon  returning  home,  the  act,  as  far  as 
could  be  traced,  of  religious  jealousy. 

His  visit  to  the  anthracite  coal  miners  in  Pennsylvania, 
both  in  their  homes  and  in  the  mines,  shortly  before  his 
death,  indicates  his  attitude  toward  the  toilers.  He  be- 
lieved it  far  better  to  show  to  them  sympathy  than  to 
reduce  their  wages  or  deal  inconsiderately  with  them. 

He  was  not  a  Socialist,  yet  the  human  instinct  brought 
him  always  into  feeling  for  those  who  did  the  work  of 
the  world. 

The  perspective  which  time  gives  is  invaluable  in  form- 
ing a  just  estimate  of  any  life.  Some  features  of  our 
beloved  father's  character  always  confirm  the  view  that 
whatever  weaknesses  and  mistakes  in  judgment  may  beset 


xii  INTRODUCTION 

a  man,  if  his  chief  desire  is  for  the  growth  of  the  im- 
mortal part,  that  desire  will  be  blessed  both  to  himself 
and  to  his  children.  This  has  been  abundantly  realized, 
as  we  recall  how,  above  every  physical  and  social  enjoy- 
ment, he  was  concerned  for  our  spiritual  welfare.  We 
accompanied  him  on  some  of  his  religious  and  other 
visits  and  could  feel  the  earnest  solicitude  of  his  fatherly 
spirit. 

His  faith  in  divine  guidance  and  preservation  will 
ever  remain  to  be  his  distinguishing  trait. 

He  was  marvelously  preserved  on  many  occasions  from 
physical  injury,  if  not  death,  and  his  gratitude  for  innu- 
merable mercies,  both  inward  and  outward,  found  ex- 
pression to  the  very  end  of  his  days. 

He  laid  great  emphasis  upon  spiritual  "eye-sight,"  and 
would  frequently  retire  to  get  inward  illumination  when- 
ever he  was  about  to  perform  any  religious  service. 

The  noble  stand  he  took  in  defence  of  our  Christian 
testimony  for  peace  at  the  time  of  the  Civil  War  put 
him  in  the  forefront  of  the  greatest  movement  of  modern 
times,  and  frequently  one  would  detect  in  his  mental  and 
spiritual  attitude  that  which  linked  him  closely  with  the 
universal  progress  of  mankind. 

The  principles  and  testimonies  of  the  Society  of 
Friends  were  very  precious  to  him  and  he  wished  to 
recommend  them  to  all  men. 

He  held  several  series  of  appointed  meetings,  in  com- 
pany with  Jonathan  E.  Rhoads  and  Zebedee  Haines,  with 


INTRODUCTION  xiii 

whom  he  had  the  closest  fellowship.  These  covered  a 
large  section  of  Xew  Jersey  and  Delaware,  Western 
Canada  and  Nova  Scotia.  The  New  England  States, 
New  York,  Pennsylvania,  Ohio  and  Iowa  were  also 
visited  under  religious  concern.  It  is  a  part  of  the  history 
of  the  case,  and  perhaps  fair  to  J.  S.  E.,  to  state  that  in 
all  his  travels  on  religious  service  he  bore  his  own  ex- 
penses. 

In  reading  over  the  records  of  these  extended  labors  it 
was  thought  best  to  present  them  as  nearly  as  possible  in 
their  original  form,  as  they  express  his  unique  personality 
better  than  any  revision  or  interpretation  could.  They 
contain  a  considerable  range  of  experience,  depicted  in 
language  peculiarly  his  own,  and  the  extracts  are  pre- 
sented in  nearly  their  chronological  order. 

This  volume  is  the  tribute  of  appreciation  which  his 
children  would  pay  to  the  work  which  he  did  in  his  day, 
believing  a  man  should  be  judged  not  so  much  by  his 
failures  as  by  his  motives  and  successes,  or,  in  the  words 
of  Marcus  Aurelius,  'The  true  worth  of  a  man  is  to  be 
measured  by  the  objects  he  pursues."  He  was  wont  to 
refer  to  a  memorandum  of  John  Woolman,  made  shortly 
before  he  sailed  on  his  last  voyage,  that  He  who  had  so 
mercifully  visited  him  in  his  youth,  sustained  and  guided 
him  through  his  manhood,  in  the  midst  of  many  tempta- 
tions and  sore  trials,  graciously  delivering  him  from 
grievous  entanglements,  was  still  his  strength  and  merci- 
ful Saviour. 


xiv  INTRODUCTION 

Thus  having  served  his  generation,  according  to  his 
ability,  he  was  gathered  into  that  rest  which  ever  remain- 
eth  for  those  who  have  sincerely  sought  to  fulfill  the 
Divine  will. 

He  recalls  Whittier's  description  of  'The  Quaker  of 
the  Olden  Time:" 

"With  that  deep  insight  which  detects 

All  great  things  in  the  small, 
And  knows  how  each  man's  life  affects 

The  spiritual  life  of  all, 
He  walked  by  faith  and  not  by  sight, 

By  love  and  not  by  law; 
The  presence  of  the  wrong  or  right 

He  rather  felt  than  saw." 


Moylan,  Pa. 
Fourth  month,  1913. 


J.  E. 


CONTENTS 

Chapter  P«ge 

I.  Boyhood   and  Youth       .....           I 

II.  Early   Manhood              .                     .                     .16 

III.  Beginning  of   Ministerial  Services  .        59 

IV.  Special  Providences         .  .           .          .           .109 
V.  European    Trip                 .           .           .                      .128 

VI.  Visit  to  Seneca    Indians          .                     .          .156 

VII.  Religious  Visits  IN  Pennsylvania  and  New  York       179 

VIII.  Various   Visits  to  Indians  and   Elsewhere        .      199 

IX.  Visit  to    Mennonite   Community,    Etc.    .           .235 

X.  Gospel  Labors  Among  White  and  Colored  People     259 

XI.  Relief  Work   on   Sea   Islands           .          .           .      293 

XII.  Religious  Services  in  Philadelphia  and  Vicinity      ^27 

XIII.  DouKHOBOR    Migration  ....      383 

XIV.  Service  Among  the  Doukhobors,  Continued       .      421 

XV.  Visit  to  Indians  in  New  York,  New   England 

AND  Nova  Scotia    .....      446 

XVI.  Visit  to   Miners  in   Pennsylvania    .                     .      474 

XVII.  Closing   Months,   Death   and  Burial        .          .      488 


2  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1833 

Whilst,  however,  this  precious  visitation  had  its  influ- 
ence, yet  I  paid  too  httle  heed  to  it  and  fell  into  many 
errors,  bringing  cause  for  condemnation ;  the  example 
of  other  children,  w^ho  too  much  disregarded  the  reproofs 
of  instruction,  had  the  effect  to  draw  more  or  less  into 
like  practices  with  them,  yet  at  seasons  when  reasoned 
and  plead  with,  by  my  religious  parents  and  friends,  I 
would  be  brought  into  tenderness  of  feeling.  Amidst  all 
that  befell  I  cannot  say  I  was  wholly  left  to  myself,  and 
there  was  a  love  in  my  heart  for  good  people.  I  was 
sent  to  school  very  young — at  the  age  of  three  years — and 
I  have  no  remembrance  where  it  was,  but  the  second 
school  I  attended  was  that  taught  by  Esther  A.  Ellis,  a 
Friend,  who  in  early  life  joined  the  Society  by  convince- 
ment  and  became  a  valuable  member,  occupying  the 
stations  of  Overseer  and  Elder  later  in  life.  She  taught 
the  Corporation  School  for  about  forty  years,  on  Pine 
street  below  Second,  adjoining  the  old  Pine  Street  Meet- 
ing House.  After  being  awhile  at  that  school  and  before 
I  was  six  years  old,  I  was  sent  to  what  was  called  the 
Infant  School,  which  was  a  primary  department  (if  I 
understand  the  matter  rightly)  of  Friends'  Select  School, 
or  at  least  it  was  conducted  in  the  same  building  as  the 
Girls'  Select  School  on  St.  James  street,  between  Sixth 
and  Seventh  streets,  above  Market.  This  Infant  Depart- 
ment was  taught  at  that  time  by  Sarah  Thompson,  who 
afterward  married  Smith  Upton,  of  New  York  State.  She 
had  an  excellent  record  as  a  teacher,  and  I  was  told  she 


Age  5       DIARY   AND    CORRESPONDENCE  3 

undertook  the  charge  of  the  infant  class  under  a  sense 
of  rehgious  duty,  and  whatever  may  be  questioned  of  the 
policy  of  sending  children  to  school  so  young  as  some 
of  these  children  were,  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  the 
influence  she  exerted  over  their  tender  minds  was  greatly 
blessed.  My  cousin,  Mary  Woodward  (afterward 
Wood),  who  had  come  to  make  her  home  with  us  at 
the  age  of  sixteen,  accompanied  me  to  school,  she 
attending  the  Select  School  for  Girls.  Although  my 
continuance  there  could  not  have  been  very  long,  yet 
my  impressions  of  it  are  very  pleasant,  and  the  remem- 
brance of  the  pains  taken  for  our  improvement  have 
continued  with  me.  The  distance  to  this  school  being 
considered  too  far  from  my  father's  residence  (about 
one  and  a  half  miles),  I  was  returned  to  the  school  under 
the  charge  of  Esther  A.  Ellis,  on  Pine  street,  for  a  time. 
In  the  early  part  of  1837  (when  seven  years  of  age)  I 
went  to  the  primary  department  of  Friends'  Select  School 
for  Boys,  then  located  in  rooms  in  the  Orange  Street 
Meeting  House,  and  taught  by  Samuel  Allen,  and  where 
I  continued  to  go  for  two  years.  During  part  of  the  time 
I  attended  this  school  I  had  the  privilege  of  taking  my 
dinners  at  Stephen  Morris',  who  then  lived  at  the  corner 
of  Eighth  and  Spruce  streets,  and  whose  wife,  Rachel 
Morris,  was  very  kind  and  exerted  a  rehgious  influence 
over  me.  I  remember  her  reading  some  little  books,  one 
at  a  time,  as  I  would  be  seated  at  her  side  at  noon  time, 
and  after  perhaps  a  dozen  had  been  thus  read  she  pre- 


4  JOSEPH  S.   EI.KINTON  i838 

sented  them  to  me,  which  I  highly  prized  as  a  gift  from 
a  dear  friend.  She  did  not  live  long  after,  and  my 
impressions  of  the  feeling  when  taken  to  her  funeral  by 
my  father  are  still  vivid. 

Notwithstanding  I  was  blessed  with  godly  parents  and 
religious  friends,  I  fell  into  divers  errors  and  entangle- 
ments, making  work  for  repentance  and  causing  grief  to 
my  parents.  The  influence  of  the  boys  on  the  street, 
with  whom  I  mingled  on  my  way  to  and  from  school, 
and  of  some  of  the  men  in  my  father's  employ,  was  not 
very  beneficial,  but  I  believe  my  dear  father  and  mother 
did  the  best  they  could  under  the  circumstances  in  which 
they  were  placed,  to  preserve  their  children  from  evil 
associations.  Children  are  in  the  world  and  are  to  be 
brought  up  in  the  world,  but  the  more  care  that  is  taken 
to  preserve  their  morals  the  less  bitterness  will  be  felt 
on  the  part  of  the  children,  and  such  care,  coupled  with 
intercession,  is  likely  to  be  blessed. 

When  my  brother  Thomas  was  a  little  more  than  a 
year  old  he  met  with  a  serious  accident ; — a  maid  who  had 
him  in  charge  let  him  fall,  his  back  striking  the  side  board 
of  the  trundle  bed,  and  she,  falling  on  top  of  him,  caused 
him  great  suffering.  The  full  extent  of  the  injury  was 
not  known  until  some  time  after,  when  it  was  discovered 
that  his  spine  had  been  dislocated.  For  years  he  was  a 
cripple  and  a  patient  sufferer,  and  there  was  great  solici- 
tude on  his  account.  At  twelve  years  of  age  he  was  still 
very  much  deformed,  but  a  physician  was  consulted  about 


Age  9       DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  5 

this  time  who  was  remarkably  successful  in  his  treatment, 
and  my  dear  brother's  back  was  straightened  and  he 
become  a  very  useful  man. 

At  nine  years  of  age  I  went  to  Westtown,  my  father 
taking  me  in  a  two-wheeled  vehicle,  called  in  those  days 
a  chair,  afterwards  designated  as  a  gig.  I  was  very 
young  to  leave  home,  but  as  father  had  some  building  in 
progress,  it  was  thought  I  was  in  danger  of  getting  hurt 
among  the  men  and  building  operations,  for  on  one 
occasion  I  was  struck  by  the  crank  of  a  windless  as  it 
was  lowering  some  material  in  the  well.  And  another 
reason  was  the  intimacy  existing  between  the  superin- 
tendents, Nathan  Sharpless  and  his  wife,  and  my  parents, 
which  I  have  no  doubt  made  it  easier  to  place  me  under 
their  charge,  with  the  hope  they  would  look  after  me 
and  make  frequent  reports.  I  also  had  an  aunt  in  the 
employ  of  the  institution.  From  an  intellectual  point  of 
view  I  consider  the  school  was  a  great  advantage  to  me ; 
still,  proneness  of  the  heart  to  evil  led  me  into  associa- 
tions that  were  unprofitable  and  into  practices  that  gave 
me  trouble,  yet  I  can  well  remember  seasons  of  tender- 
ness, and  on  penning  these  things  long  after  they  trans- 
pired my  spirit  is  humbled  and  tendered  under  a  sense 
of  the  compassion  of  my  Heavenly  Father  in  bringing  me 
from  time  to  time  under  a  right  conviction.  Upon  one 
occasion,  when  not  considered  well  enough  to  attend 
meeting,  and  knowing  that  Elizabeth  Evans  was  present, 
I  managed  to  get  a  seat  on  the  stairway  and  hear  her 


6  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1840 

communications,  which  brought  me  to  contritition  of 
spirit.  It  always  pleased  me  when  any  of  the  Committee 
visited  the  school  or  other  Friends  acquainted  with  my 
father's  family  would  give  me  a  kind  salutation.  There 
is  great  service  in  older  Friends  who  have  seen  life's 
battles,  taking  the  children  by  the  hand  as  they  find 
opportunity  and  using  their  leisure  to  converse  with 
them.  At  the  close  of  the  term,  during  which  I  had  been 
particularly  unsatisfactory  in  deportment,  my  father  came 
after  me  and  on  the  way  home  inquired  how  it  had  been 
with  me,  and  learning  that  all  had  not  been  well,  he  was 
sorely  grieved,  both  of  us  shedding  some  tears ;  but  he 
was  patient  and  loving,  and  said  he  took  some  consolation 
in  the  fact  that  I  was  penitent.  His  attitude  had  a  very 
softening  effect  upon  my  mind  and  also  on  subsequent 
occasions  when  he  pleaded  and  reasoned  with  me.  But  the 
force  of  temptation  was  great,  although  I  did  try  to  do 
better  during  the  winter  of  1840  and  1841,  yet  I  had 
divers  difficulties.  Then  it  was  decided,  through  a  wise 
conclusion  of  my  parents,  that  I  was  to  be  educated 
nearer  home.  I  will  not  omit  to  state,  however,  that 
impressions  made  upon  my  mind  in  some  of  the  meetings 
and  evening  collections  at  Westtown  were  not  wholly 
dispelled.  Sarah  Emlen  was  occasionally  engaged  in  the 
ministry,  and  her  husband.  James  Emlen.  was  a  righteous 
man  and  was  one  of  our  teachers.  His  example  and 
purity  of  conversation  were  a  blessing  to  the  institution. 
Joseph  Walton  was  one  who  showed  me  marked  kindness, 


Age  11      DIARY  AND   CORRESPONDENCE  7 

and  I  could  unfold  to  him  more  of  my  troubles  and 
temptations  than  to  any  other  teacher.  A  friendship 
ripened  with  him  that  has  been  greatly  blessed  to  me 
through  life ;  he  has  ever  proved  himself  true,  faithful 
and  very  helpful.  Many  others  also  of  my  fellow-school- 
mates have  made  useful  members  of  community  and  of 
our  religious  Society,  and  my  intercourse  with  them  has 
been  of  a  very  pleasant  character.* 

Among  those  who  frequented  my  father's  house  in  my 
boyhood  were  the  following :  Robert  Scotton,  with  whom 
my  father  was  associated  at  Tunesassa,  and  who  after- 
ward remained  a  most  intimate  and  lifelong  friend  of  the 
family.  He  took  especial  interest  in  my  welfare,  as  father 
had  given  me  the  middle  name  of  Scotton.  Robert  Scot- 
ton  was  a  deeply  experienced  minister ;  he  frequently 
came  to  the  city  from  his  residence  in  Frankford  and 
stayed  several  days  at  my  father's,  and  during  the  latter 
part  of  his  Hfe  spent  much  of  his  time  with  us.  WilHam 
Hilles  was   another  very   much   beloved    friend   of   my 


♦When  about  fifteen  years  of  age,  J.  S.  E.  became  so  uneasy 
with  his  record  while  at  Westtown  that  he  expressed  a  desire 
to  return  for  a  term  to  redeem  his  reputation  by  pursuing  his 
studies  and  conducting  himself  in  a  manner  more  satisfactory 
to  his  friends  and  his  own  conscience.  This  desire  was  granted 
and  the  result  was  a  great  comfort  to  him  in  after  years. 

In  spite  of  all  vicissitudes  he  evidently,  during  those  early 
years,  made  rapid  progress  in  his  studies,  especially  mathematics, 
for  at  the  age  of  eleven  he  had  mastered  the  first  five  books  of 
geometry,  and  a  most  wonderful  memory  was  developed,  useful 
later  in  business,  when  he  could  carry  many  numbers  of  weight 
and  tare  correctly  in  his  mind  without  aid  of  memoranda. 


8  JOSEPH    S.   EI.KINTON  i848 

father.  Ebenezer  Worth,  of  whom  I  believe  it  may  be 
justly  said,  "he  was  a  man  of  God,"  also  favored  us  with 
his  company  whenever  in  the  city.  Enos  and  Hannah 
Sharpless  were  among  the  intimate  friends  of  my  parents, 
and  their  residence  near  Chester  was  a  place  of  occasional 
resort  for  us.  My  brother  Thomas  married  their  daugh- 
ter Rebecca  in  1863.  Mary  Kite  was  one  whose  sympathy 
and  friendship  were  highly  prized.  Moses  Bailey  and 
his  son  Richard  homed  with  us  at  Yearly  Meeting  time, 
as  also  did  Jabez  Thompson  and  his  two  sisters.  Samuel 
and  Ann  Cope,  the  one  an  able  minister  of  the  Gospel 
and  defender  of  the  Faith,  the  other  a  faithful  elder, 
were  frequent  guests  and  both  well  beloved.  Many  other 
Friends  were  hospitably  entertained,  for  my  father's 
house  was  always  open  to  guests,  whether  personal 
friends  or  strangers  from  afar. 

First  month  p,  1848.  This  evening  whilst  we  were  all 
collected  in  the  sitting  room  father  spoke  to  us,  com- 
mencing with:  "I  can  truly  say  I  do  earnestly  desire  the 
prosperity  of  Zion  and  the  enlargement  of  her  borders, 
and  the  most  likely  way  for  this  to  be  effected  is  for  the 
children  to  bend  their  necks  to  the  yoke" ;  and  he  could 
say  with  the  apostle  he  had  no  greater  joy  than  to  see 
the  children  walking  in  the  Truth.  He  said  much  more, 
encouraging  us  to  faithfulness. 

Eleventh  month  ig.  Meetings  are  to  be  held  in  the 
Arch  Street  Meeting  House  on  First-day  evenings  during 
the  winter  of  1848  and  1849. 


Age  19      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  9 

First  month  8,  1849.  My  mother  was  burned  very 
badly  on  the  breast,  neck  and  sides  of  her  face.  In  the 
evening  she  went  with  a  lighted  candle  into  the  pantry 
to  get  some  provisions  for  a  poor  woman,  and  her  neck 
handkerchief  took  fire  from  the  candle.  I  had  come  in 
and  fallen  asleep  in  the  chair  in  the  sitting  room,  but 
was  aroused  by  her  cries,  and  the  first  impression  I  had 
of  the  matter  was  the  sight  of  her  coming  in  through 
the  doorway  in  a  blaze  about  the  head.  Father  and  I 
immediately  tore  off  the  remainder  of  the  handkerchief, 
cape  and  head-dress.  We  obtained  medical  assistance 
as  soon  as  possible,  but  her  sufferings  were  very  great. 
Dr.  Charles  Evans  thought  she  made  a  very  narrow 
escape  with  her  life.  She  was  confined  to  her  chamber 
for  weeks,  during  which  time  she  was  visited  by  many 
of  her  friends,  who  manifested  much  sympathy  and 
interest. 

Ninth  month  8.  Last  Fifth-day  I  had  through  mercy 
a  truly  tendering  time,  in  which  I  did  earnestly  crave 
that  I  might  be  preserved  in  the  Truth  and  enabled  to 
fill  that  place  which  is  assigned  me. 

This  morning,  in  meeting,  Elizabeth  Evans  arose  with 
the  words :  "Let  the  wicked  forsake  his  way  and  the 
unrighteous  man  his  thought,  and  let  him  return  unto 
the  Lord  and  He  will  have  mercy  upon  him,  and  to  our 
God  and  He  will  abundantly  pardon."  She  enlarged 
upon  this  and  spoke  very  encouragingly  to  some  tried 
and  struggling  ones  then  present.     I  can  remember  the 


10  JOSEPH  S.   ELKINTON  i849 

feeling  much  better  than  the  words,  but  she  also  said 
that  if  one  then  present  were  faithful  he  would  be 
brought  into  dignity  and  honor  and  clothed  with  a  holy 
magnanimity  of  soul  and  not  to  care  for  what  others 
might  say  of  him.  Between  meetings  I  had  another 
favored  season.  Oh,  that  these  precious  opportunities 
may  not  be  as  the  morning  dew  which  passeth  away. 

Tenth  month  24.  Attended  Monthly  Meeting.  In  the 
first  meeting  Elizabeth  Evans  was  engaged  in  one  of  the 
most  extraordinary  communications  I  ever  remember 
hearing,  being  adapted  to  the  children  of  worthy  parents 
and  grandparents.  She  said  there  were  some  who  had 
been  visited  in  an  extraordinary  manner  and  who  had 
been  unfaithful,  but  if  these  would  yet  be  faithful,  our 
Heavenly  Father  would  make  them  able  to  fill  that  place 
he  designed  for  them,  and  even  make  them  to  be  as 
ornaments  in  his  church.  She  also  gave  warning,  saying 
if  the  children  of  those  who  had  borne  the  burden  and 
heat  of  the  day  did  not  come  forward  and  support  the 
principles  which  their  predecessors  upheld,  that  others 
would  be  called  in  from  the  highways  and  hedges,  for  a 
succession  of  laborers  must  be  raised  up.  A  very  precious 
feeling  covered  me  during  the  communication  which 
remained  with  me  throughout  the  meeting  for  business, 
which  I  thought  was  a  token  that  I  was  still  an  object 
of  the  tender  mercy  and  regard  of  our  Heavenly  Father, 
for  which  I  trust  I  felt  thankful.  In  the  second  meeting 
the   answer  to   the   first   query   was   read   in   the   usual 


Age  19      DIARY  AND   CORRESPONDENCE  11 

manner,  except  it  said  "Friends  were  clear  of  sleeping." 
One  Friend  said  he  was  glad  the  query  could  be  thus 
answered  and  hoped  it  would  continue  so.  But  I  knew 
it  was  not  correct,  for  I  had  been  overcome  two  or  three 
times,  so  I  felt  it  a  duty  to  say  so,  especially  after  Eliza- 
beth Evans'  sermon  in  the  meeting,  and,  although  it  was 
exceedingly  mortifying  to  expose  myself,  I  rose  and  said : 
"The  answer  to  the  first  query  regarding  sleeping  is  not 
quite  correct."  Isaac  Lloyd  made  some  remarks,  all  of 
which  I  did  not  hear,  but  I  understood  one  expression  he 
made  to  the  import  that  he  was  glad  the  young  man 
had  acknowledged  his  weakness. 

Eleventh  month  15.  This  morning  a  runaway  slave 
came  to  our  house.  He  said  he  was  from  the  eastern 
shore  of  Maryland.  He  was  provided  by  my  mother  with 
a  suit  of  clothes  and  a  little  money. 

Twelfth  month  75.  My  dear  brother  Asa  appears  to 
have  been  losing  strength  of  late,  and  his  sufferings  are 
very  great. 

Last  Third-day  afternoon  I  had  a  marvellous  escape 
from  being  crushed  by  the  wheel  of  a  cart,  and  I  believe 
it  was  by  an  interposition  of  our  Heavenly  Father  I 
escaped  being  killed.  For  this  unmerited  mercy  I  desire 
to  offer  a  tribute  of  thanksgiving  and  hope  to  keep  more 
in  view  the  awful  importance  of  being  prepared  to  meet 
death,  for  who  knoweth  what  a  day  may  bring  forth. 

First  month  11,  18^0.  Last  night  I  was  brought  re- 
newedly  under  a  sense  of  the  awfulness  of  the  work  of 


12  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i850 

the  ministry,  to  which  I  have  believed  for  more  than 
three  years  I  should  be  called  if  I  continued  faithful  to 
my  Divine  Lord  and  Master.  May  He,  who  alone  can 
qualify  for  every  good  work  and  service,  continue  his 
preserving  arm  around  me,  and  I  crave  that  I  may  not 
run  before  I  am  sent,  and  before  I  put  forth  my  hand 
to  this  work  I  wish  to  feel,  woe  to  me  if  I  preach  not 
the  Gospel.  The  first  time  I  was  made  to  believe  without 
a  shadow  of  doubt  concerning  the  matter  was  in  Eighth 
month,  1846,  when  I  was  brought  under  a  sense  of  my 
lost  and  undone  condition.  My  sins  were  set  in  order 
before  me,  and  such  was  the  agony  of  mind  I  cried  for 
forgiveness  unto  my  offended  yet  merciful  Lord  God,  and 
blessed  forever  be  His  great  and  glorious  name ;  He  sent 
forth  of  his  redeeming  love  and  mercy  and  spake  peace 
to  my  troubled  and  guilty  soul.  It  was  then  shown  me 
with  clearness  that  if  I  were  faithful  I  should  in  days 
to  come  be  made  to  testify  what  great  things  the  Lord 
had  done  for  my  soul.  I  called  my  dear  father  into  the 
room  and  expressed  myself  freely  to  him.  He  extended 
words  of  encouragement  and  next  morning  told  me  that 
he  had  no  doubt  of  my  being  called  to  the  work  of  the 
ministry  if  I  continued  faithful. 

Fourth  month  ii.  Last  evening  brother  Asa  told  me 
that  he  had  thought  the  severe  pain  he  had  of  late 
endured  in  hip  and  back  was  caused  by  abscesses,  but 
he  now  concluded  it  was  from  water  collecting  there,  as 
his  feet  had  begun  to  swell.    He  appeared  in  a  very  quiet, 


Age  20      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  13 

cheerful  state  of  mind  (natural  to  him),  and  queried  of 
father  what  the  doctor  had  said  to  him  during  his  last 
visit,  and  upon  being  told  that  the  doctor  thought  while 
there  might  not  be  a  sudden  removal,  yet  he  believed  his 
days  were  drawing  near  a  close,  he  replied  that  those 
views  were  in  accordance  with  his  own,  and  he  hailed 
with  joy  the  approaching  change. 

Tenth  month  13.  The  past  few  days  dear  brother  Asa 
has  been  very  low,  not  inclining  to  take  much  nourish- 
ment and  been  troubled  with  severe  throbbing  in  the 
head.  Robert  Scotton  has  been  with  us ;  his  company 
and  assistance  have  been  particularly  acceptable  at  this 
time  of  affliction  and  a  great  satisfaction  to  brother  Asa. 

Tenth  month  23.  Little  change  in  my  brother  from 
the  time  of  my  last  writing  until  Fifth-day,  when  he  com- 
plained of  not  being  able  to  collect  his  ideas  clearly,  and 
there  seemed  to  be  more  dififlculty  in  his  power  of  ex- 
pression. 

Eleventh  month  6.  Brother  Asa  remains  much  the 
same,  very  low  at  times,  but  ever  quiet  and  cheerful 
during  intervals  of  revived  strength.  Elizabeth  Evans 
came  down  this  morning  and  Asa  hearing  thereof,  desired 
to  see  her.  Almost  immediately  on  entering  the  room 
she  broke  forth :  "A  little  longer  and  a  little  more  suffer- 
ing and  this  dear  lamb  shall  be  released."  When  she 
reached  his  bedside  she  said,  "Well,  my  dear,  how  is 
thee?"  Then,  answering  the  salutation  for  herself,  she 
said,  "Very  near  thy  everlasting  rest,"  to  which  brother 


14  JOSEPH    S.    EI.KINTON  i860 

assented  by  the  motion  of  his  head.  She  then  spoke  to 
him  in  a  very  encouraging  manner,  saying  that  his  suffer- 
ings were  not  for  his  sake  alone,  but  might  be  designed 
for  the  benefit  of  his  family,  and  that  it  might  be  a 
mystery  that  we  could  tell  nothing  about;  that  angels 
w'ere  waiting  as  at  the  gates  to  receive  his  spirit. 

Eleventh  month  lo.  The  awful  time  has  come  for  us 
to  part  with  our  beloved  Asa,  never  more  to  meet,  unless 
it  be  in  a  glorious  eternity.  This  morning,  while  we  were 
dressing,  father  came  for  brother  Thomas  and  myself  to 
come  immediately  to  Asa's  room.  We  hastened  down 
and  found  dear  Asa  looking  for  us,  and  when  we  were 
all  seated  round  his  bed  he  looked  intently  at  each  and 
nodded  his  head  as  if  he  were  bidding  us  farewell,  which 
I  believe  was  his  object.  After  this  he  lay  about  two 
hours  without  taking  notice  of  any  of  us,  then  a  little 
difficulty  of  breathing  for  fifteen  or  twenty  minutes,  when 
it  ceased  and  his  purified  spirit  took  flight  from  its 
earthly  tabernacle.  As  our  dear  father  stood  over  his 
lifeless  form  he  broke  forth  with  the  words:  "Blessed 
are  the  dead  who  die  in  the  Lord,  for  they  rest  from  their 
labors,  and  their  works  do  follow  them  "  And  as  my 
heart  breathed  the  language  I  expressed  after  father, 
"And  let  praises,  everlasting  praises,  be  given  unto  Him 
that  hath  redeemed  him." 

Eleventh  month  12.  This  day  we  followed  the  remains 
of  my  dear  brother  to  the  grave. 

First  month  i,  1851.     This  being  the  first  day  of  the 


Age  21      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  15 

year,  renewed  desires  have  been  raised  through  the  day 
that  the  blessing  of  preservation  may  be  vouchsafed, 
enabling  me  to  live  through  the  coming  year  to  the  praise 
and  honor  of  the  great  Creator  of  all  things ;  that  when 
another  has  rolled  over  I  may  have  increased  in  ex- 
perience and  deepened  in  a  knowledge  of  best  things.  On 
looking  back  over  the  past  year,  shame  and  confusion 
seem  to  cover  me  and  weakness  seems  to  be  my  portion. 
Although  the  Lord's  mighty  hand  hath  been  round  about 
me,  delivering  me  in  one  or  two  instances  from  instant 
death,  and  many  have  been  the  mercies  and  favors  be- 
stowed upon  me,  yet  I  have  been  ungrateful  and  have 
not  prized  the  precious  privileges  as  I  should  have  done. 
I  desire  to  seek  repentance  and  to  experience  forgiveness 
that  I  may,  as  it  were,  take  a  fresh  start  and  renew  the 
covenants  that  were  made  in  the  days  of  my  tenderness, 
doubling  my  diligence  to  make  my  calling  and  election 
sure. 

During  the  past  year  I  have  parted  with  a  dear  brother. 
Ah,  how  he  was  purified  through  great  suffering,  and  his 
ransomed  spirit  gathered  to  the  company  of  those  who 
are  forever  singing  the  praises  of  Him  that  redeemed 
them.  May  He,  who  was  pleased  to  gather  him  from  all 
iniquity,  extend  the  same  mighty  power  for  my  preser- 
vation and  for  that  of  my  dear  sister  and  brother  who, 
with  me,  are  left  to  work  out  our  salvation  with  fear 
and  trembling. 


CHAPTER  II. 
Early  Max  hood. 

Fourth  month  2J.  This  is  an  important  month  in  my 
life,  as  I  complete  to-day  my  twenty-first  year.  My  mind 
has  been  much  exercised  through  the  course  of  the  day, 
and  I  have  been  in  fervent  prayer  to  the  Author  of  my 
life  that  I  may  be  enabled  in  the  future  to  seek  first  the 
kingdom  of  heaven  and  the  righteousness  thereof,  having 
no  doubt,  if  this  be  my  primary  concern,  that  all  neces- 
sary temporal  things  will  be  added. 

Above  all  other  things  I  desire  to  be  enabled  to  give 
myself  unreservedly  into  the  hands  of  my  Heavenly 
Father,  craving  that  through  the  course  of  my  life  I 
may  be  dedicated  to  his  work  and  service,  being  willing 
to  spend  and  be  spent  for  the  cause  of  truth,  having  no 
doubt,  as  faithfulness  is  maintained,  a  place  will  be 
assigned  me  in  the  Militant  Church.  Oh,  that  the  bless- 
ing of  preservation  may  be  extended,  that  when  done  with 
time  I  may  lay  down  my  head  in  peace  and  be  prepared 
to  join  the  just  of  all  generations  in  singing  everlasting 
praises  to  Him  who  redeemed  them  from  all  iniquity. 

Sixth  month  8.  From  a  letter  to  M.  Kite:  Father 
has  been  liberated  to  accompany  William  Evans  on  his 
intended  visit  to  Friends  of  Indiana  and  Iowa,  which 
will  take  him  away  from  home  four  or  five  months.    The 

16 


Age  21      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  17 

management  and  responsibility  of  the  business  falls 
chiefly  on  me,  yet  I  have  no  doubt  that  while  he  is  away 
on  a  right  concern  there  will  be  a  way  provided  for  us 
to  get  along  reputably,  and  I  hope  I  shall  be  able  to  keep 
the  concern  from  going  behind  in  any  way. — J.  S.  E. 

Eleventh  month.  Father  returned  home  three  weeks 
ago  with  William  Evans.  They  passed  through  a  section 
of  country  where  there  was  much  sickness,  and  at  one 
place  the  people  declined  entertaining  them  lest  they 
should  convey  some  infectious  disease. 

In  the  year  1852  my  father  was  willing  to  purchase  a 
lot  at  Seventeenth  and  Hamilton  streets,  eighty  feet 
square,  and  had  a  building  about  thirty-two  feet  square 
erected,  with  iron-cased  windows,  shutters  and  doors, 
and  a  boiler  outside  the  building,  so  that  it  was  considered 
fireproof.  This  was  intended  for  me  in  which  to  have 
a  start  in  business.  I  was  pleased  with  the  prospect  of 
having  the  factory  in  charge,  knowing  it  was  designed 
for  me  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  on  the  salting  of 
hides,  rendering  of  tallow  and  the  manufacturing  of 
candles.  When  it  was  in  contemplation,  as  I  walked  the 
streets,  the  query  would  arise  in  my  mind,  had  I  sought 
the  divine  counsel  in  the  matter  of  the  proposed  move- 
ment? 

Whilst  satisfied  in  my  own  mind  that  I  had  not,  I  had 
a  very  strong  desire  to  avail  myself  of  the  willingness  of 
my  father  to  start  me  in  business.  I  did  not  communicate 
my   secret    feelings,   and   the   building  went  on,   and   I 


18  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i853 

engaged  in  business  in  it  which  proved  remunerative. 
One  morning  as  I  was  making  my  way  from  my  father's 
home  I  was  told  that  my  factory  was  destroyed  by  fire, 
and  so  I  found  it,  which  of  course  was  a  disappointment 
and  loss.  My  father,  however,  was  willing  to  rebuild ; 
but  I  remembered  what  had  previously  passed  through 
my  mind — had  I  asked  for  the  Divine  counsel  in  the 
building  of  that  factory?  I  felt  that  I  had  not,  and  now 
if  I  did  not  mind  what  might  be  considered  the  crack 
of  the  whip,  the  next  time  I  might  know  the  lash  of  it. 
This  so  impressed  me  that  I  told  my  father  that  if  he 
were  willing  I  was  willing  to  give  up  that  factory  and 
come  back  home  and  stay  with  him  in  business  in  South 
Second  street,  and  the  lot  at  Seventeenth  and  Hamilton 
streets  might  be  sold.  His  response  was  that  if  that  were 
my  feeling,  it  might  be  so,  and  the  lot  was  sold.  The  fire 
was  supposed  to  have  originated  from  spontaneous  com- 
busion. 

In  the  spring  of  1853  I  had  an  affection  of  the  cheek 
that  was  called  a  malignant  pustule  by  Dr.  Charles  Evans, 
who  made  a  large  incision  on  the  inside  of  my  mouth 
and  called  in  the  assistance  of  the  distinguished  surgeon, 
Doctor  Pancoast.  I  was  laid  by  for  two  weeks,  taking 
liquid  food  with  a  cork  between  my  teeth  to  keep  from 
working  the  muscles  of  my  cheek,  and  was  given  instruc- 
tion not  to  engage  in  business  for  some  time.  As  I  could 
not  work,  I  felt  inclined  to  go  West  and  see  the  country, 
and  father  presented  me  with  sixty  dollars,  or  thereabout, 


Age  23      DIARY  AND   CORRESPONDENCE  19 

for  that  purpose.  I  left  home  the  evening  after  our 
Quarterly  Meeting  in  the  Fifth  month,  1853. 

On  the  train  a  man  indulged  in  profane  language  to 
such  an  extent  that  I  was  induced  to  say  that  "Profane 
language  was  painful  to  respectful  ears  and  respect- 
able people  would  not  use  it."  I  was  surprised  to  hear  a 
voice  behind  me  uniting  with  my  remarks,  when  either 
the  profane  man  or  the  one  at  his  side  was  heard  to  say, 
"We  must  say  our  prayers  now."'  The  one  who  endorsed 
me  was  James  Naylor,  and  this  was  the  beginning  of  a 
friendship  with  him  that  continued  until  his  death. 

I  spent  some  time  visiting  among  Friends  in  Ohio  and 
returned  home  benefited  by  the  trip. 

Extract  from  a  letter  to  R.  E.  Patterson  from  J.  S.  E. 
dated  Fourth  month  9,  1854:  Thought  I  would  mention 
a  circumstance  which  took  place  in  our  factory  last 
Second-day.  A  steam  boiler,  which  we  use  in  boiling 
grease  under  high  pressure,  exploded  with  a  noise  like 
a  cannon,  and  what  was  most  surprising  no  one  was  hurt. 
About  three  minutes  before  it  occurred  I  was  fixing  some- 
thing on  top  of  the  boiler  when  I  observed  a  small  leak 
in  what  we  call  the  manhole  plate,  which  is  a  cast-iron 
cover  that  is  screwed  firmly  over  the  hole  in  which  the 
materials  are  put  before  boiling.  I  immediately  shut 
ofif  the  steam  and  supposed  all  was  safe.  I  then  went 
into  the  third  story,  where  I  had  just  arrived  when  the 
accident  took  place.  Had  it  occurred  one  minute  sooner, 
in  all  probability  I  should  have  been  killed.     I  remained 


20  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1854 

in  the  third  story  until  the  heat  of  the  steam,  which 
quickly  filled  both  second  and  third  stories,  became  too 
oppressive.  I  then  descended  by  a  rope  through  the  open 
hatches  to  the  lower  floor,  where  I  found  all  the  men 
safe.  In  my  descent  I  passed  within  twenty-five  feet  of 
the  boiler  through  the  hot  steam.  Had  I  gone  down  stairs 
I  should  probably  have  been  scalded  by  passing  through  a 
shower  of  boiling  grease,  several  hundred  pounds  of 
which  were  scattered  about.  The  broken  pieces  of  iron 
became  lodged  and  wedged  in  the  hall  in  a  curious 
manner,  which  prevented  them  from  being  driven  through 
the  floor  and  injuring  the  building.  It  is  supposed  the 
part  that  burst  was  injured  by  the  fire  last  spring  more 
than  we  were  aware  of. 

Altogether  I  consider  it  an  evidence  of  the  superin- 
tending and  preserving  care  of  Divine  Providence,  for 
which  I  ought  to  be  very  thankful,  but  I  fear  I  shall  not 
be  enough  so.  It  forcibly  brings  to  mind  the  passage 
"that  the  tender  mercies  of  the  Lord  are  over  all  His 
works." 

This  is  the  fifth  instance  in  the  last  five  years  of  my 
having  very  narrowly  escaped  with  my  life,  and  I  desire 
that  these  warnings  of  the  uncertainty  of  life  may  be 
improved  and  tend  to  my  deepening. 

On  one  occasion  a  man  in  our  employ  who  held 
deistical  opinions  was  so  impressed  at  witnessing  my 
escape  that  he  impulsively  exclaimed:  ''Surely  it  was 
the  power  of  God  that  saved  you." 


Age  24      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  21 

The  circumstance  was  as  follows :  One  day  a  man 
drove  into  our  factory  yard  an  unruly  colt,  which  he  was 
breaking,  hitched  to  a  cart.  When  ready  to  go  the  colt 
was  so  restive  that  the  man  made  several  vain  attempts 
to  get  into  the  cart,  so  I  offered  to  hold  him  and  took 
hold  of  the  ring  at  the  bit,  but  the  colt  had  no  notion 
of  standing  still  and  made  his  way  toward  a  gate  post 
about  eighty  feet  away,  taking  me  with  him,  and  I  think- 
ing, "When  we  get  to  that  post  I  will  hold  thee,"  but 
about  that  time  the  colt  gave  me  such  a  send-off  as 
landed  me  in  the  doorway,  at  a  right-angle  to  the  course 
we  were  going,  alongside  of  the  deist.  I  was  landed  on 
my  feet  unharmed.  The  man,  seeing  I  was  not  even  hurt 
and  being  so  impressed  at  witnessing  the  escape,  he  ex- 
claimed: "Surely  it  was  the  power  of  God  that  saved 
you." 

First  month  5/,  i8§§.  Last  night  after  retiring  to  bed, 
had  a  favored  season.  I  was  enabled  to  pour  myself  out 
in  prayer  and  supplication  to  the  Father  of  Mercies  that 
He  would  send  forth  help  from  his  sanctuary  to  enable 
me  to  overcome  all  the  temptations  of  the  deceiver  of 
souls  that  I  might  serve  and  follow  the  Lord  in  the  way 
of  His  leading. 

Second  month  4.  Yesterday  afternoon  my  friend, 
Samuel  E.  Shinn,  lost  his  life  in  the  following  manner: 
He  was  skating  on  the  Schuylkill  River  in  company  with 
a  young  woman,  whom  he  was  pushing  before  him  in  an 
arm  chair  on  runners,  and  passing  over  a  place  where  the 


22  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i855 

ice  was  thin,  broke  through  and  both  were  drowned. 
Samuel  was  a  noble-hearted  young  man,  nothing  mean 
lurking  in  him;  a  little  more  than  twenty-five  years  of 
age,  plain  and  consistent  in  his  deportment  and  remark- 
ably pleasant  in  his  manners.  We  were  playmates 
together  at  school,  and  have  always  from  our  earliest 
acquaintance  had  very  friendly  feelings  towards  each 
other.  He  was  of  no  common  talent.  The  circumstances 
forcibly  reminds  me  of  the  language,  "Be  ye  also  ready, 
for  in  such  an  hour  as  ye  think  not  the  Son  of  Man 
cometh." 

Second  month  5.  Second-day  afternoon  attended  the 
funeral  of  Samuel  E.  Shinn.  It  seemed  to  me  the  feeling 
on  the  occasion  was  that  of  sadness  and  to  me  a  season  of 
humiliation.  I  remembered  the  passage :  "Two  men 
shall  be  in  the  field,  one  shall  be  taken  and  the  other  left." 
I  was  led  to  reflect  how  that  he  was  thus  snatched  off  as 
in  a  moment,  and  my  life  had  been  preserved  in  several 
instances  from  a  like  fate  by  a  high  hand  and  an  out- 
stretched arm,  and  when  the  query  arose,  "What  have  I 
rendered  unto  the  Lord  for  all  His  benefits  ?"  Shame  and 
confusion  is  the  sense  I  have  of  the  matter. 

Third  month.  Sister  Sarah,  having  since  her  return 
home  had  her  mind  much  turned  towards  the  Indians 
and  believing  it  to  be  her  duty,  expressed  her  willingness 
to  the  Indian  Committee  to  return  and  teach  at  the  school 
at  Tunesassa  until  it  could  be  further  supplied  with  a 
teacher.     I  think  I  never  saw  father  as  near  saying,  at 


Age  25      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  23 

the  prospect  of  meeting  any  close  trial,  "I  will  not  submit 
to  it,"  and  it  was  not  until  the  whole  responsibility  was 
left  with  him  that  he  consented  to  it. 

A  special  meeting  of  the  Indian  Committee  was  held 
on  third  of  Third  month  and  her  offer  was  accepted.  She 
left  home  on  Sixth-day  morning  the  ninth  inst.  A  cir- 
cumstance took  place  the  evening  before  her  departure, 
which  has  been  a  great  comfort  to  me.  When  the  family 
gathered  in  the  evening  a  precious  feeling  overspread  the 
little  company.  I  was  led  to  say,  "We  commit  thee  to 
God  and  the  word  of  his  grace  which  is  able  to  build 
thee  up  and  to  give  thee  an  inheritance  among  them  that 
are  sanctified."  After  which  mother  added,  "I  have 
prayed  for  thee,  my  dear  daughter,  that  thou  mightest  be 
cared  for  by  the  Good  Shepherd  who  preserved  me  in 
the  service  thou  art  about  to  engage  in,"  When  brother 
Thomas  bade  his  sister  farewell  it  was  a  most  affecting 
scene;  poor  boy,  he  felt  as  if  he  had  lost  his  nearest  and 
dearest  friend.     They  were  very  devoted  to  each  other. 

Fourth  month.  For  some  time  I  have  been  humbled 
under  a  sense  that  it  would  be  required  of  me  to  appear 
in  public  in  the  line  of  the  ministry.  Oh,  the  trying  bap- 
tisms and  humiliation  on  this  account !  At  the  last  sitting 
of  our  Yearly  Meeting  I  spoke  a  few  words  and  enjoyed 
the  feeling  of  peace  during  the  remainder  of  the  day.  I 
was  told  that  Robert  Scotton  and  William  Hillis,  in  speak- 
ing of  the  appearance,  said:    "It  seemed  like  a  stormy 


24  JOSEPH   S.    EI.KINTON  1855 

time  for  one  to  set  out  in  the  ministry,  but  it  had  been 
said  that  good  sailors  were  made  in  rough  seas." 

Fourth  month  p.  For  some  months  I  have  had  serious 
thoughts  of  endeavoring  to  form  a  connection  in  mar- 
riage with  MaHnda  Patterson,  and  have  consulted  my 
parents  on  the  subject,  who,  whilst  they  have  no  acquaint- 
ance with  her,  have  no  objection  to  my  having  a  suitable 
companion.  Malinda  Patterson  and  her  grandmother, 
Anna  Conrow,  have  come  on  from  Ohio  to  visit  Samuel 
and  Sarah  Walton. 

Seventh  month.  Being  in  poor  health,  in  company 
with  Charles  Warner,  I  took  a  sea  trip  to  Boston  on  a 
sailing  vessel,  leaving  Philadelphia  Seventh  month,  10, 
1855.  Our  captain,  a  kind  obliging  man,  quiet  and 
retired,  but  free  and  social  when  addressed,  was  firm 
and  pleasant  and  agreeable  in  his  manner  toward  the 
crew.  The  discipline  throughout  on  board  was  good. 
When  I  arose  in  the  morning  of  the  12th  we  were  forty 
miles  from  the  Capes,  with  tide  against  us.  We  could  see 
with  the  glass  seventy-four  vessels  on  the  bay.  On  the 
13th  we  had  a  fair  wind  from  the  south,  and  sailed  up 
along  the  Jersey  coast.  The  sea  was  not  rough,  yet  I 
soon  became  sick  and  stretched  myself  full  length  on  the 
quarter  deck.  The  captain  went  below  and  kindly 
brought  up  a  mattress  and  placed  it  between  two  of  the 
steam  boilers,  which  were  lying  side  by  side  on  the  main 
deck.  This  made  a  comfortable  nest,  and  I  stuck  to  it 
most  of  the  day  until  driven  below  by  a  shower.    Had  a 


Age  25      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  25 

very  uncomfortable  night  and  felt  so  indifferent  that  I 
would  have  cared  little  if  the  barque  and  all  that  was  in 
it  had  gone  to  the  bottom.  Towards  morning  was  enabled 
to  get  a  little  sleep,  after  which  the  pain  in  my  head 
passed  off,  and  have  not  been  affected  since  with  the 
swimming  sensation  that  had  been  of  late  so  troublesome. 
To  be  rid  of  this  was  worth  the  expense  of  the  trip,  sea- 
sickness included.  The  night  of  the  16th  we  spent  in 
a  cove,  the  captain  thinking  is  imprudent  to  proceed  in 
the  fog  during  the  night.  Nineteen  vessels  were  anchored 
there  with  us.  The  17th  was  the  most  interesting  day's 
sailing  that  we  had.  We  got  under  way  about  4.30  A.  M, 
It  was  still  foggy,  but  we  had  a  good  wind.  We  sailed 
along  Martha's  Vineyard  at  the  rate  of  seven  miles  an 
hour.  About  10  A.  M.  the  fog  became  much  more  dense 
and  we  could  see  but  a  very  short  distance.  The  captain 
held  the  lead  and  was  sounding  nearly  all  the  time,  when 
he  came  to  three  fathoms  (eighteen  feet),  the  vessel 
drawing  twelve  feet,  he  shouted :  "Let  go  the  anchor," 
which  order  was  quickly  obeyed.  I  asked  the  captain 
what  was  the  matter,  to  which  he  replied,  "I  do  not 
know  where  I  am." 

In  an  hour  or  so  the  fog  lifted  a  little  and  we  saw  a 
steamer  anchored  near  us,  and  as  soon  as  she  raised  her 
anchor  we  followed  the  example  and  made  after  her,  for 
said  the  captain,  "Where  she  can  go,  I  can."  I  asked 
him  if  he  knew  yet  where  he  was.  He  said,  "No,  but 
I  will  get  away  from  here  and  find  out."     It  was  very 


26  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i855 

exciting,  for  we  were  in  imminent  danger  of  striking 
sunken  rocks  which  were  in  that  part  of  the  channel.  The 
captain  took  the  wheel  and  showed  nothing  of  fear.  We 
went  back  about  three  miles  and  then  changed  our  course 
to  the  northeast  and  soon,  falling  in  with  other  vessels, 
knew  we  were  on  the  right  course.  The  captain  was  led 
astray  by  his  two  compasses  varying  five  degrees,  and  he 
had  been  guided  by  the  incorrect  one,  and  also  by  making 
more  rapid  progress  during  the  morning  that  he  sup- 
posed. If  we  had  gone  on  a  few  minutes  longer  before 
we  anchored  we  should  no  doubt  have  struck  on  a  shoal 
of  rocks  called  the  Stone  Horse.  After  getting  on  the 
right  course  we  put  on  all  sail  and  made  good  speed.  At 
3  P.  M.  we  were  nearly  opposite  the  lighthouse  at 
Chatham  on  the  mainland  of  Massachusetts.  Here  we 
again  saw  the  steamer  and  had  a  great  race  for  about 
two  and  a  half  hours,  when  she  passed  out  of  our  sight. 
Our  little  barque  was  a  good  sailor,  for  she  drove  through 
the  water  within  six  points  of  the  wind  at  the  rate  of 
ten  and  twelve  miles  an  hour.  In  the  evening  there  was 
a  beautiful  phosphorescence  seen  at  the  sides  and  in  the 
wake  of  the  boat.  Toward  midnight  the  wind  died  away 
and  when  I  arose  on  the  morning  of  the  18th  found  that 
we  had  anchored  about  eleven  miles  from  the  city  of 
Boston,  being  becalmed.  x\t  breakfast  we  had  a  fresh 
codfish,  caught  by  one  of  the  crew. 

The  captain  hailed  a  steam  tow-boat  and  soon  bar- 
gained with  the  captain  of  it  to  tow  us  up  to  the  city. 


Age  25      DIARY  AND   CORRESPONDENCE  27 

Boston  being  built  on  a  hill,  the  approach  to  it  was  a 
beautiful  sight.  While  sitting  in  the  bow  of  the  boat 
admiring  the  scenery,  I  was  led  to  reflect  upon  what 
must  have  been  the  feelings  of  our  early  Friends  when 
they  entered  this  bay,  when  the  cruel  laws  of  Massachu- 
setts declared  that  any  Quaker,  after  being  banished  and 
returning  to  the  Province,  should  be  put  to  death. 

After  our  arrival  in  Boston  we  spent  some  time  in 
walking  and  sitting  on  the  Common;  saw  a  very  large 
tree  surrounded  by  a  wooden  railing.  The  tree  appeared 
to  be  of  great  age,  its  limbs  were  bound  together  by  long 
iron  rods  running  from  one  to  another  and  fastened 
round  by  iron  bands.  Much  pains  have  been  taken  to 
keep  the  old  tree  together.  Its  age  is  not  known,  but 
it  is  said  to  be  the  tree  on  which  William  Robinson, 
William  Leddra,  Marmaduke  Stevenson  and  Mary  Dyer 
were  hanged.  After  spending  a  day  or  two  in  sight-see- 
ing we  returned  to  Philadelphia,  making  a  visit  at  New- 
port on  the  way. 

Some  months  after  this  trip,  seeing  the  barque  Gem 
at  the  wharf  I  went  aboard  to  speak  to  the  captain.  He 
asked  me  if  I  remembered  presenting  him  with  a  copy 
of  Sewel's  History?  I  replied  that  I  remembered  read- 
ing it  on  the  passage  to  Boston  and  leaving  it  on  board 
telling  him  he  might  have  it.  He  said  he  took  it  to  his 
home  in  Chatham  and  his  wife  read  it  to  their  neighbors, 
they  being  in  the  habit  of  assembling  in  his  home  to  sew 
during  the  winter  evenings. 


28  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i855 

Seventh  month  i8.  Extract  from  a  letter  to  Joseph 
S.  Elkinton  from  his  father,  Joseph  Elkinton :  We  had 
a  visit  from  EHzabeth  Pitfield  yesterday;  she  took  tea 
with  us  and  told  me  as  she  was  going  away,  that  she 
did  not  wish  me  to  be  too  much  discouraged  about  my 
son  Joseph,  intimating  that  it  was  her  belief  the  Master 
would  take  care  of  him. 

Mayst  thou,  my  beloved  son,  be  engaged  and  con- 
cerned to  trust  in  Him  who  never  said  to  the  wrestling 
seed  of  Jacob,  "seek  ye  my  face"  in  vain.  He  is  a  good 
Master,  worthy  to  be  trusted,  served,  honored  and 
obeyed;  thousands  have  been  able  so  to  testify.  And  He 
will  never  leave  nor  forsake  his  devoted  children  unless 
they  turn  away  from  Him,  which  thou  mayst  be  pre- 
served from  ever  doing,  is  the  fervent  prayer  of  thy 
father  for  thee.  It  is  no  new  thing  for  the  Lord's  chil- 
dren to  be  closely  tried  and  proven,  but  as  they  hold 
fast  their  integrity  He  will  in  His  own  time,  which  is 
always  the  best  time  (and  well  indeed  worth  waiting 
for)  appear  with  healing  in  His  wings  and  enable  us 
to  sing  songs  of  rejoicing  to  His  praise  and  our  own 
great  consolation  and  comfort. 

Ninth  month  2.  Favored  this  morning  to  put  up  a 
feeble  petition  for  my  deepening  and  growth  in  the 
Truth. 

"Oh,  Most  Holy  and  Eternal  Father,  may  it  please 
Thee  to  deepen  me  in  the  root  of  immortal  life  that  I 
may  grow  and  increase  in  that  knowledge  which  is  life 


Age  26      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  29 

eternal,  even  to  know  Thee,  the  only  true  God  and  Jesus 
Christ  whom  thou  has  sent  and  to  whom  be  glory  for- 
ever.    Amen." 

Ninth  month  3,  1856.  Joseph  S.  Elkinton  and  Malinda 
Patterson  were  united  in  marriage.  (From  a  letter  by 
J.  S.  E.  to  E.  S.)  The  day  of  our  marriage  the  Meeting- 
house was  well  filled,  there  being  many  of  the  town's 
people,  besides  relatives  and  friends  present.  Joseph 
Edgerton  spoke  chiefly  to  this  class,  inviting  them  to 
turn  their  minds  inward  to  the  Divine  Teacher.  He 
spoke  very  clearly,  enlarging  on  the  passage:  "We  have 
a  more  sure  word  of  prophecy,  whereunto  ye  do  well 
that  ye  take  heed  as  unto  a  light  that  shineth  in  a  dark 
place."  After  the  marriage  ceremony,  and  the  certifi- 
cate had  been  read  and  signed,  he  spoke  more  particu- 
larly to  dear  M.  and  me.  We  had  a  pleasant  company 
of  fifty  or  sixty,  who  dined  with  us  at  the  house  of 
entertainment. 

Fifth  month  3,  1857.  After  the  death  of  Mary  Pat- 
terson (his  sister-in-law),  J.  S.  E.  wrote  in  a  letter: 
"May  our  Heavenly  Father  be  pleased  to  sanctify  our 
affliction  and  cause  it  to  draw  us  nearer  unto  Him,  so 
that  when  our  course  is  run,  we  may  be  prepared  to  join 
our  beloved  sister,  who  is  gone  to  that  happy  country 
where  there  is  no  sorrow  or  sighing,  but  all  is  endless 
joy." 

First  month  2Q,  1861.  My  mother  requested  me  to 
remain  at  home  from  our  afternoon  meeting  and  spend 


30  JOSEPH   S.  ELKINTON  186I 

a  quiet  undisturbed  time  with  her.  It  was  a  very  satis- 
factory opportunity.  She  said  to  me,  "My  son,  thee  has 
had  some  hard  days,  but  keep  near  the  ]\Iaster  and  He 
will  help  thee ;  and  when  the  Master  gives  thee  anything 
to  do,  go  do  it."  She  related  a  circumstance  that  occurred 
after  she  returned  from  her  first  sojourn  among  the 
Indians  at  Tunesassa.  She  was  at  the  house  of  Samuel 
Swayne,  where  Thomas  Shillitoe  was  dining.  Mother 
entered  the  room  and  was  introduced  as  Mary  Nutt, 
just  come  from  among  the  Indians.  Thomas  dropped 
his  knife  and  fork,  bowed  his  head  and  presently  said, 
"And  thou  wilt  be  back  there."  This  surprised  mother, 
as  she  thought  she  was  through,  but  afterward  found 
that  her  peace  consisted  in  returning  to  her  work  among 
the  Indians. 

Third  month  16.  Opened  my  mouth  in  meeting  this 
morning  with  the  words,  "The  Lord's  arm  is  not  short- 
ened that  it  cannot  save,  nor  His  ear  grown  heavy  that 
it  cannot  hear;  but  for  the  sighing  of  the  poor  and  the 
crying  of  the  needy,  He  will  arise  and  preach  deliver- 
ance to  the  captive  and  the  opening  of  prisons  to  them 
that  are  bound,  comfort  those  that  mourn,  give  unto 
them  beauty  for  ashes,  the  oil  of  joy  for  mourning  and 
the  garment  of  praise  for  the  spirit  of  heaviness."  Should 
it  be  the  will  of  the  Great  Head  of  the  church  that  I 
should  be  thus  exercised,  may  He  preserve  me  from 
running  into  words  or  doing  anything  in  conduct  or 
conversation  that  will  cast  a  stain  on  the  cause. 


Age  31      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  31 

Third  month  ij.  Having  heard  of  Mary  Kite  being 
very  low,  felt  I  would  like  to  see  her  once  more,  she 
having  been  as  a  tender  mother  to  me.  I  spent  two  or 
three  hours  by  her  side,  and  there  was  such  a  sweet 
feeling  of  peace  prevading  the  room  that  if  we  had  the 
power  we  would  hardly  want  to  keep  her,  although  the 
Church  will  be  stripped  of  a  bright  and  shining  ornament 
in  her  removal.  May  the  Lord  raise  up  more  such  as 
she,  to  stand  for  the  cause  and  testimony's  sake  in  their 
day  and  generation.  Mary  Kite  deceased.  Third  month 
22,  1861,  aged  sixty-nine  years. 

Eighth  month.  In  the  second  meeting  of  our  Quarterly 
Meeting  I  said :  "It  was  with  me  to  plead  with  some  who 
like  myself  were  in  the  practice  of  attending  these 
Meetings  for  Discipline,  thereby  giving  evidence  that  we 
are  interested  in  the  concerns  of  Society,  but  who  did 
not  feel  it  to  be  our  place  to  take  an  active  part  in  the 
business  that  came  before  the  meeting,  that  we  might 
endeavor  to  get  under  the  exercise  of  the  meeting  which 
would  tend  not  only  to  our  own  growth  and  experience, 
but  be  felt  as  a  help  and  strength  to  those  on  whom  the 
weight  and  burden  of  the  Society  chiefly  rested. 

"Some  might  excuse  themselves  from  this  responsi- 
bility on  account  of  the  inconsistencies  existing  amongst 
us;  others  tried  with  these  things  might  feel  at  times  as 
if  their  hearts  would  sink  within  them  and  be  discour- 
aged, but  I  have  remembered  a  remark  of  an  aged 
disciple    (Robert   Scotton),   now   gathered   to  his   ever- 


32  JOSEPH  S.   ELKINTON  1861 

lasting  rest.  He  said,  'The  work  is  truly  great,  but  we 
are  called  to  be  working  and  nothing  impossible  will  be 
required.'  And  when  we  are  gathered  in  our  Meetings 
for  Worship,  let  us  endeavor  to  maintain  an  exercise 
for  the  arising  of  Life;  we  may  toil  long  sometimes 
without  seeming  to  attain  that  which  our  souls  long  for 
as  soon  as  we  might  desire,  but  if  the  struggle  is  main- 
tained, there  will  be  a  breaking  forth  of  Light  and  Life 
and  we  be  enabled  to  say,  'An  hour  in  Thy  presence  is 
worth  a  thousand  elsewhere.'  '' 

Twelfth  month  20.  After  one  or  two  others  had 
spoken  in  Meeting  to-day,  I  rose  and  said:  "Believing 
this  was  a  time  of  tendering  visitation,  my  desire  was 
that,  as  time  passed,  we  might  not  lose  the  tender  im- 
pressions now  made,  but  close  in  with  the  heavenly 
visitations,  for  none  of  us  know  when  these  offers  of 
love  and  mercy  are  slighted  that  we  shall  be  favored 
with  more.  And  I  ardently  craved  that  some  of  us  now 
in  the  strength  and  vigor  of  life,  might  be  so  wise  as 
not  to  suffer  the  things  of  time  and  sense  so  to  engross 
our  thoughts  as  to  choke  the  good  seed  which  had  been 
planted  in  our  hearts,  but  to  seek  after  heavenly  things, 
that  our  cry  unto  the  Father  of  mercies  might  be  that 
He  would  not  cast  us  off  forever  nor  take  his  holy 
spirit  from  us;  that  He  would  create  in  us  clean  hearts, 
and  renew  a  right  spirit  with  us."  Such  breathings  I 
believed  would  be  acceptable  and  if  we  walked  humbly 
with  Him,  obedience  keeping  pace  with  knowledge,  an 


Age  31      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  33 

assurance  would  be  granted  us  that  when  done  with  time 
we  should  be  permitted  to  follow  those  who  had  gone 
before  into  the  realms  of  rest  and  peace. 

In  regard  to  Elizabeth  Evans,  who  deceased  Eleventh 
month,  14,  1861,  J.  S.  E.  writes:  "She  has  on  divers 
occasions  watered  my  garden  and  comforted  my  despond- 
ing heart.  I  owe  her  much.  I  can  turn  back  in  memory 
to  the  days  of  my  early  visitations  when  she  was  often 
instrumental  in  the  Divine  hand  in  pouring  in  the  oil 
and  wine;  and  there  are  many  who  have  set  their  seals 
to  having  been  refreshed  by  the  gospel  rain  through  her. 
Her  sudden  removal  has  been  tendering  to  many  hearts. 
When  about  seventeen  years  of  age  I  dreamed  that  she 
spoke  to  my  condition  in  meeting.  The  next  day  was 
our  meeting  day,  and  she  was  engaged  in  testimony  in 
the  same  strain  that  had  appeared  to  me  the  night 
before.  The  last  time  Elizabeth  Evans  spoke  in  our 
meeting  was  two  weeks  before  her  death,  when  she  ad- 
dressed the  young  men  particularly,  telling  them  they 
were  of  understanding  hearts  and  that  nothing  would 
give  her  greater  joy,  now  in  the  decline  of  life,  than  a 
firm  belief  that  there  would  be  raised  up  in  this  place  a 
little  army  which  would  stand  as  testimony-bearers  to 
the  Truth,  and  hoped  there  might  such  be  brought  forth 
who  would  be  faithful  to  the  cause,  which  she  most 
ardently  loved,  and  which  she  had  endeavored  to  advo- 
cate and  uphold,  though  conscious  of  her  many  short- 
comings, yea,  transgressions  also,  for  she  was  frequently 


34  JOSEPH  S.   EIvKINTON  1862 

engaged  in  prayer  for  forgiveness.  She  exhorted  us  not 
to  allow  the  many  discouraging  things  which  might  be 
seen  around  us  to  have  undue  influence  upon  the  mind, 
nor  the  wickedness  which  abounded  in  the  world,  but  to 
endeavor  to  keep  inward  and  retired." 

First  month,  1862.  On  the  first  day  of  this  year  father 
withdrew  his  name  from  our  firm,  leaving  brother 
Thomas  and  me  to  conduct  the  business  with  his  capital 
and  business  facilities,  under  the  name  of  Joseph  S.  and 
Thomas  Elkinton.  May  the  goodness  and  mercy  that 
have  been  with  him  through  life  follow  the  children,  and 
we  maintain  a  lively  concern,  not  to  do  anything  that  will 
bring  dishonor  upon  the  Truth. 

Third  month.  Father  was  over  at  Haddonfield  Quar- 
terly Meeting  and  heard  related  whilst  at  Joseph  Snow- 
don's  the  following  anecdote :  Thomas  Scattergood, 
Samuel  Bettle,  Thomas  Stewardson  and  perhaps  one  or 
two  other  friends,  had  been  appointed  to  attend  the 
Legislature,  then  held  at  Lancaster,  and  by  their  influ- 
ence to  prevent  the  passage  of  a  bill,  which,  it  was 
thought,  was  designed  to  be  oppressive  to  Friends.  The 
bill  was  to  be  brought  up  on  a  Second-day  morning  and 
the  deputation  started  the  previous  Seventh-day  after- 
noon. First-day  morning  the  question  was  raised 
whether  they  should  pursue  their  journey  or  attend  a 
meeting  on  the  way.  Thomas  Scattergood  said :  "Friends, 
you  may  do  as  you  please,  but  I  incline  to  go  to  meet- 
ing."   They  all  went  to  meeting,  in  which  Thomas  spoke 


Age  32      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  35 

to  the  state  of  one  in  high  standing  who  was  in  a  practice 
which,  if  not  abandoned,  would  prove  the  ruin  of  the 
individual.  After  meeting,  several  of  the  members 
gathered  together  and  told  Thomas  they  thought  him 
mistaken.  Thomas  thought  he  had  only  been  faithful 
in  delivering  that  which  was  required  of  him.  They 
asked  whether  there  was  any  Friend's  house  between 
there  and  Lancaster  where  they  might  lodge,  and  were 
told  there  was  one  in  a  rather  out-of-the-way  place. 
There  they  lodged  and  found  the  woman  Friend  who 
lived  there,  laboring  under  great  depression,  having  re- 
solved to  take  her  life,  thinking  she  was  lost,  whether 
she  lived  or  not.  The  visit  of  the  Friends  was  timely, 
they  being  instrumental  in  raising  her  from  her  low 
state.  She  had,  it  appeared,  whilst  laboring  under  the 
temptation,  asked  for  a  sign,  that  if  there  was  any  hope 
for  her,  that  Friends  might  be  sent  to  her.  These  deten- 
tions made  the  Committee  anxious  about  being  so  late 
getting  to  Lancaster,  as  it  was  noon  by  the  time  they 
had  their  horse  put  up  and  went  to  the  legislative  hall. 
On  entering,  one  of  Thomas  Scattergood's  neighbors 
was  speaking  on  the  bill  and  denouncing  the  Quakers, 
but  the  sight  of  T.  S.  discomfited  and  unnerved  him, 
which  was  observed  by  the  assembly,  and  the  bill  dropped 
without  Friends  having  anything  to  say.  Some  time 
after,  an  individual  accosted  Thomas  Scattergood,  asking 
him  if  he  remembered  the  meeting  the  First-day  morning 


36  JOSEPH   S.   EI.KINTON  1862 

on  his  road  to  Lancaster.     T.  S.  replied  he  did.     "I  was 
the  one  thou  spoke  to,"  said  he. 

At  our  Fourth-day  morning  Meeting  we  had  a  stranger 
(Phebe  Hathaway)  from  the  West,  who  commenced  her 
sermon  by  drawing  a  comparison  between  the  present 
and  early  times  of  our  Society,  when  messengers  traveled 
so  much  to  and  fro  on  the  Lord's  errands.  It  is  very 
true  we  are  commanded  to  go  and  teach  all  nations, 
baptizing  them  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  Son  and  Holy 
Ghost.  But  we  are  also  commanded  by  the  same  divine 
authority  to  tarry  at  Jerusalem  until  we  be  endowed 
with  power  from  on  High,  and  without  this  power  and 
unction,  nothing  can  be  done  which  will  redound  to  the 
Glory  of  the  Great  Name. 

Copy  of  an  Enrollment  to  Military  Duty. 

Philadelphia,  July  25,  1862. 
To  Joseph  S.  Elkinton, 

Sir  :  You  will  please  take  notice  that  you  have  been  enrolled  as 
liable  to  military  duty. 

If  you  claim  you  are  not  liable,  on  account  of  physical  defect, 
or  bodily  infirmity,  or  that  you  are  exempt  from  the  performance 
of  military  duty  by  any  law  of  this  State  or  of  the  United  States, 
it  will  be  your  duty  on  or  before  the  14th  day  of  August,  1862,  to 
deliver  to  either  of  the  undersigned,  at  their  residence.  No.  37 
Catharine  Street  or  757  South  Sixth  Street,  an  affidavit  stating 
such  facts  on  which  you  claim  to  be  exempt  or  not  liable  to  such 
military  duty. 

John  Welsh, 
Chas.   Paullin, 

Assessors. 


Age  32      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  37 

Extract  from  a  letter  written  by  J.  S.  E.,  Eighth 
month.  9,  1862 :  "I  read  with  interest  thy  remarks  con- 
cerning the  war,  but  feel  little  inclination  to  respond, 
but  to  ponder  these  things.  We  all  know  it  is  a  serious 
time,  and  the  temptations  held  out  to  young  men  of  talent 
and  ambition  to  be  very  great.  It  seems  to  me  that  if 
I  have  ever  known  anything  of  a  living  exercise  it  is  on 
behalf  of  our  young  men,  members  of  our  Society,  that 
we  may  be  preserved  from  bringing  dishonor  on  the 
Truth,  but  being  favored  with  that  Spirit  which  is  ovef 
the  powers  of  darkness,  we  may  be  enabled  to  walk 
consistently  with  our  profession.'' 

Extracted  from  a  letter  to  a  young  man.  Eighth  month, 
1862 :  "May  thou  be  concerned  to  look  unto  Him  who 
can  and  will  direct  the  steps  of  those  who  with  honest 
integrity  of  purpose  apply  unto  Him  and  in  humble  dedi- 
cation are  willing  to  lay  aside  their  own  wills,  being 
subject  to  the  Divine  Will. 

"Remember  that  learning  or  any  other  attainment  that 
can  be  acquired  by  man  must  be  considered  as  secondary 
unto  that  living  principle,  the  one  thing  needful,  which 
alone  can  sanctify  and  without  which  all  else  will  be  of 
little  avail.  It  matters  not  whether  it  be  wealth,  honor, 
power,  learning  or  whatever  else  we  set  our  hearts  upon, 
'Let  him  that  glorieth,  glory  in  this,  that  he  knoweth 
Me,  saith  the  Lord.' 

"If  offers  should  be  made  thee  that  are  likely  to  make 
it  doubtful  about  a  regular  attendance  at  meetings  on 


38  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1863 

First-days  and  in  the  middle  of  the  week,  be  careful 
how  thou  accepts.  Don't  be  satisfied  with  an  attendance 
merely,  but  strive  to  be  a  living  worshipper.  I  write 
under  a  sense  of  my  own  short-comings,  but  I  believe 
such  an  exercise  will  be  blessed.  Wandering  and  evil 
thoughts  may  and  doubtless  will  be  present,  but  it  is 
no  sin  to  be  tempted;  the  sin  is  in  yielding  to  the  temp- 
tation ;  nor  is  it  best  to  be  overmuch  discouraged  because 
we  cannot  overcome  these  things  as  soon  as  we  might 
wish.  If  the  struggle  is  kept  up,  the  seasons  of  refresh- 
ings will  come.  Sometimes  after  a  whole  meeting  has 
been  spent  in  endeavoring  to  overcome  the  struggle, 
perhaps  on  the  way  home,  there  will  be  a  breaking  forth 
of  light.— J.  S.  E." 

Extract  from  a  letter  to  a  brother  and  sister,  dated 
Philadelphia,  Fifth  month,  10,  1863:  "If  we  would  but 
serve  the  Lord  with  an  undivided  heart,  how  would  He 
bless  us  and  sanctify  us,  preparing  unto  Himself  a 
peculiar  people,  zealous  of  good  works.  Oh,  that  we 
may  stand  faithful  in  our  measure  to  the  manifestations 
of  his  grace  and  good  Spirit,  that  we  may  be  led  out 
of  all  error  into  all  truth  and  having  dominion  over  sin 
and  iniquity,  experience  a  growth  in  grace  and  an  estab- 
lishment in  the  ever  blessed  and  unchangeable  Truth. 

"During  the  past  week,  whilst  we  have  had  such 
accounts  of  dreadful  slaughter  and  bloodshed,  I  have 
been  reflecting  how  privileged  we  were  in  that,  by  the 
Light  of  Truth,  we  have  been  shown  that  all  Christians 


Age  33      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  39 

should  keep  out  of  all  strife  and  contention,  and  how- 
much  we  are  spared  by  acting  in  consistence  with  such 
a  conviction.  But  for  this  restraining  principle,  in  all 
probability,  I  should  myself  have  been  in  the  murderous 
conflict  and  perhaps  been  amongst  the  silent  dead,  and 
how  awful  to  be  ushered  into  eternity,  or  be  the  means 
of  sending  another,  whilst  all  the  passions  of  our  fallen 
nature  were  heated  almost  perhaps  to  a  state  of  fury." 

Sixth  month  2p.  A  Friend  last  evening  related  the  fol- 
lowing circumstance :  A  Friend  in  England  was  favored 
with  a  gift  in  the  ministry,  which  some  of  the  members 
of  his  meeting  doubted  his  having.  At  one  time  he  laid 
a  concern  to  go  on  a  little  journey,  and  one  of  those 
who  doubted  his  gift  was  appointed  to  go  with  him.  The 
first  meeting  they  attended  the  minister's  sermon  con- 
sisted in  saying,  "There  is  a  thief  in  the  house,"  and  at 
the  second  meeting  he  said  the  same  thing,  at  which  his 
companions,  being  much  outdone,  left  him.  At  the  third 
meeting  the  same  thing  again  occurred,  after  which  a 
man  came  to  him  and  said,  as  he  had  now  rebuked  him 
three  times  for  robbery,  he  would  acknowledge  that  he 
was  a  robber,  but  had  now  come  to  the  resolution  to 
change  his  course. 

Seventh  month  i^.  Thomas  Lippincott,  a  first  cousin 
of  my  father,  aged  about  seventy-three,  who  resided  at 
Woodstown,  New  Jersey,  lodged  at  father's  last  night 
and  was  quite  interesting  in  conversation.  He  told  us 
he  was   of  the   sixth  generation  of   Lippincotts   in   this 


40  JOSEPH  S.   EI.KINTON  i863 

country.  His  father's  name  was  William,  who  was 
brother  of  my  grandmother  Elkinton,  her  maiden  name 
being  Letitia  Lippincott.  She  was  of  a  godly  life  and 
died  in  unity  with  her  Friends  when  about  thirty-nine 
years  of  age.  Her  father's  name  was  Caleb  Lippincott, 
who  was  the  son  of  Jacob,  the  son  of  Restored,  who  was 
the  son  of  Richard  Lippincott,  who  came  to  New  Eng- 
land with  the  Puritans,  who  excommunicated  him  be- 
cause of  his  becoming  dissatisfied  with  the  use  of  bread 
and  wine,  as  was  the  practice  with  that  people.  He 
returned  to  England  and  about  the  time  of  his  arrival 
a  son  was  born  to  him,  whom  he  named  Restored,  in 
commemoration  of  his  being  restored  to  the  land  of  his 
fathers. 

Richard  Lippincott  about  this  time  became  convinced 
of  the  Truth  as  professed  by  the  people  called  Quakers 
and  suffered  on  account  of  his  religious  principles.  His 
name  appears  in  Sewel's  History.  He  afterwards  re- 
turned to  America  and  settled  on  a  large  tract  of  land 
in  New  Jersey.  Caleb  Lippincott,  my  great-grandfather, 
was  a  first  cousin  to  John  Woolman.  Thomas  Lippin- 
cott also  related  last  evening  that  James  Daniel,  a 
minister  of  Salem  Quarterly  Meeting,  being  out  on  a 
religious  visit,  was  at  a  meeting  where  he  spoke  very 
closely  to  an  individual  tinctured  with  a  spirit  of  unbe- 
lief ;  said  he  could  lay  his  hand  on  the  man  and  said 
moreover  that  he  had  a  book  on  infidelity  in  his  pocket. 
It  afterwards  proved  that  there  was  an  individual  present 


Age  33      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  41 

toward  whom  Friends  had  extended  much  labor,  and  who 
had  at  that  very  time  one  of  T.  Paine's  works  in  his 
pocket. 

Last  week  drafting  for  the  army  took  place  in  two  of 
the  Congressional  districts  of  this  city.  About  2000  per- 
sons were  drafted,  some  eight  or  ten  members  of  our 
Society.  May  these  be  willing  to  stand,  to  suffer  for  the 
Truth  and  do  their  part  for  the  support  of  our  noble 
testimony  against  all  wars  and  fightings.  It  is  stated  that 
six  Friends  who  were  forced  from  their  homes  in  the 
South  by  the  Rebels  and  taken  by  the  Rebel  Army  under 
Lee  into  Pennsylvania,  have  been  brought  to  this  city 
and  with  prisoners  taken  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg, 
sent  to  Fort  Delaware.  Friends  are  endeavoring  to 
obtain  further  information  on  the  matter,  and  a  special 
meeting  of  the  Meeting  for  Sufferings  is  to  be  held  this 
week.  Father  and  Joseph  Scattergood  went  yesterday 
to  see  the  Provost  Marshal  to  ask  what  would  be  the 
respectful  course  towards  the  government  for  Friends 
to  pursue  when  drafted.  The  Provost  Marshal  thought 
if  Friends  would  not  fight  they  might  pay  the  $300, 
but  father  told  him  they  could  not  do  that.  He  seemed 
to  be  at  -a  loss  how  to  answer.  The  officer  said,  "I  am 
opposed  to  war  myself,  but  if  a  man  were  to  go  into 
your  house  and  cut  your  throat,  would  you  resist  him? 
Be  sure  you  would."  Father  replied :  "Sometime  since, 
the  house  of  a  wealthy  Friend  was  entered  in  the  night 
and  the  robber  aroused  the  Friend  and  told  him  if  he 


42  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i863 

did  not  get  up  and  show  him  where  his  money  was,  he 
would  kill  him.  The  Friend  sat  up  and  after  a  little 
thought  said,  'I  shall  do  no  such  thing;  I  will  not  be 
accessory  to  thy  wickedness,  and  if  it  is  permitted  for 
thee  to  take  my  life,  I  shall  die  happy.'  The  robber 
concluded  he  would  not  kill  such  a  man  and  left  him." 
The  Provost  Marshal  remarked,  "He  was  a  very  bold 
man,"  and  Joseph  Scattergood  replied,  "We  have  many 
such."  The  interview  resulted  in  nothing  definite,  the 
officer  stating  he  had  no  authority  for  exempting  any 
on  conscientious  grounds. 

Seventh  month.  A  special  meeting  of  the  Meeting 
for  Sufferings  has  been  held  and  a  very  affecting  state- 
ment of  the  suffering  of  Friends  from  North  Carolina 
was  made.  William  B.  Hockett,  nephew  of  Nathan 
Hockett,  was  forced  into  the  Rebel  Army  some  ten 
weeks  before  the  battle  of  Gettysburg;  and,  refusing  to 
bear  arms,  a  musket  was  strapped  on  his  back;  refusing 
to  march,  he  was  forced  along  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet. 
On  one  occasion  he  sat  down  on  the  ground  when  the 
enraged  captain  ordered  one  of  the  soldiers  to  shoot, 
which  he  refused  to  do,  saying  he  would  rather  lose  his 
own  life  than  shoot  such  a  man.  The  captain  then 
turned  him  over  to  the  colonel,  who  attempted  to  ride 
him  down.  The  horse's  foot  went  between  his  arm  and 
side,  scraping  him  a  little,  but  not  seriously  injuring  him. 
He  was  then  tied  to  a  wagon  and  dragged  along. 

Thomas  Evans,  Samuel  Hillis  and  Charles  Evans  were 


Age  33      DIARY  AND   CORRESPONDENCE  43 

appointed  to  go  Washington,  where  they  prevailed  upon 
the  Secretary  of  War  to  grant  an  order  for  the  release 
of  the  Friends  in  Fort  Delaware. 

A  large  committee  of  the  Meeting  for  Sufferings  was 
appointed  to  assist  or  advise  those  who  were  drafted. 

Seventh  month  2/.  Drafting  has  been  going  on  in 
the  different  wards  of  the  city,  and  on  the  27th  of  Seventh 
month  (to-day)  it  was  announced,  by  the  list  published 
in  the  papers,  that  I  was  among  the  number.  This  has 
brought  me  under  serious  feelings  with  a  fervent  desire 
that  I  may  be  enabled  so  to  act  as  to  bring  no  reproach 
upon  the  blessed  cause  of  Truth. 

Seventh  month  jo.     I  present  the  following  statement 
Philadelphia,  Seventh  month  29,  1863. 
To  the  Provost  Marshal  or  other  proper  officer: 

Seeing  my  name  included  in  a  list  published  as  having  been 
drafted  in  the  Third  Ward  of  the  First  Congressional  District, 
for  service  in  the  army  of  the  United  States,  and  knowing  no 
other  person  of  the  same  name  in  this  ward,  I  respectfully  rep- 
resent to  the  Board  of  Enrollment  or  other  proper  officers,  that  I 
feel  conscientiously  restrained  from  bearing  arms  or  being  other- 
wise concerned  in  war,  believing  that  all  wars  and  fightings  are 
forbidden  by  the  spirit  and  precepts  of  the  Christian  religion. 
This  statement  is  submitted  to  show  that  my  failure  to  comply 
with  the  requisition  of  the  government  in  this  matter  does  not 
proceed  from  any  disloyalty,  but  because  I  am  a  Christian  and 
therefore  can  not  fight,  procure  a  substitute,  or  pay  the  $300 
provided  by  law,  or  any  other  sum  as  a  commutation  for  mili- 
tary service,  and  respectfully  ask  that  it  shall  not  be  demanded 
of  me. 

Joseph  S.  Elkinton, 

785  South  Second  Street. 


44  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i863 

Eighth  month  6.  Received  this  afternoon  the  follow- 
ing notice: 

Form   39. 

Provost  Marshal's  Office, 
First  District,  State  of  Penna. 

August  5,  1863. 
To  Joseph  E.  Elkinton,  785  South  Second  Street. 

Sir:  You  are  hereby  notified  that  you  were  on  the  27th  day  of 
July,  1863,  legally  drafted  in  the  service  of  the  U.  S.  for  the 
period  of  three  years  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  the 
Act  of  Congress  for  enrolling  and  calling  out  the  national  forces 
and  for  other  purposes,  approved  March  3rd,  1863.  You  will  ac- 
cordingly report  on  or  before  the  14th  day  of  August  at  the  place 
of  rendezvous  in  245  South  Third  Street,  or  be  deemed  a  deserter 
and  be  subject  to  the  penalty  prescribed  therefor,  by  the  rules 
and  articles  of  war. 

Transportation  will  be  furnished  you  on  presenting  this  notifi- 
cation at  on  the  or  at  the  station  nearest  your 
place  of  residence. 

Wm.  E.  Lehman,  Captain, 
Provost  Marshal,  First  District,   Penna. 

I  wrote  in  reply  to  the  above : 

Philadelphia,  Eighth  month  12,  1863. 
Wm.  E.  Lehman,  Cap., 

Provost  Marshal,  First  District,  Penna. 
Respected  Friend  :  The  notice  received  by  me  to  rendezvous 
for  military  service  expiring  on  the  14th  inst.,  I  write  these  lines 
explaining  that  my  not  appearing  arises  from  my  conscientious 
convictions  expressed  in  my  statement  placed  in  thy  hands  on  the 
30th  ult.,  and  that  I  am  not  an  absconder  in  any  way,  but  propose 
remaining  about  my  usual  place  of  business,  or  if  temporarily 
absent  for  any  cause,  my  whereabouts  will  be  known  and  com- 
municated at  any  time  by  my  family. 

Respectfully, 

Joseph  S.  Elkinton. 


Age  33      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  45 

Philadelphia,  Ninth  month,  3. 
Dear  Friend. 

Alfred  Cope  :  Thy  feeling  communication  of  last  week  was 
duly  received.  It  is  truly  grateful  to  have  such  an  evidence  of 
interest  in  my  welfare,  and  I  desire  so  to  walk  that  my  friends 
may  continue  thus  to  feel,  and  as  way  opens  therefor  in  their 
minds,  to  drop  me  a  word.  Although  we  are  to  look  to  the 
Fountain  for  our  dependence,  it  is  pleasant  and  refreshing  to 
meet  a  brook  by  the  way.  In  relation  to  my  prospects,  I  know 
little  or  nothing  of  what  is  before  me.  I  did  not  go  to  the  ren- 
dezvous at  the  time  notified,  but  sent  a  note  to  the  Provost 
Marshal  that  my  non-appearance  was  in  consequence  of  conscien- 
tious convictions.  I  have  not  heard  from  him  since.  The  present 
would  be  a  most  trying  time  to  be  taken  from  my  family  and 
business,  but  if  needs  be  I  will  endeavor  to  be  content,  hoping 
that  faith,  patience  and  strength  will  not  be  withheld,  and  that 
the  watchful  eye  of  the  Shepherd  of  Israel  will  be  over  those 
that  are  left  behind. 

Farewell, 

Joseph  S.  Elkinton. 

The  following  is  taken  from  the  minutes  of  the  Meet- 
ing for  Sufferings  in  the  year  1863,  as  forwarded  by  the 
committee  appointed  at  that  meeting  to  inquire  whether 
any  of  our  members  had  suffered  because  of  our  testi- 
mony against  war,  the  account  being  given  to  that  com- 
mittee by  the  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends  of  Philadel- 
phia for  the  Southern  District:  Joseph  S.  Elkinton  was 
drafted  Seventh  month,  27,  1863,  for  three  years'  service 
in  the  army  of  the  United  States  and  received  notice  to 
appear  at  the  rendezvous  by  the  fourteenth  of  the  fol- 
lowing month.  Two  days  previous  to  the  expiration  of 
this  period  he  addressed  a  note  to  the  Provost  Marshal 
of   the   District,   informing  him  that  his   intended   non- 


46  JOSEPH  S.   EI.KINTON  i863 

appearance  at  the  time  and  place  designated  arose  from 
a  conscientious  conviction  that  all  wars  and  fightings  are 
forbidden  by  the  Christian  religion;  and  that  as  a  Chris- 
tian he  could  not  fight,  procure  a  substitute,  or  pay  any 
sum  of  money  as  commutation  for  military  service ;  and 
also  that  he  proposed  remaining  as  usual  at  his  place  of 
business.  For  some  time  after  this  he  was  not  molested 
by  the  military  authorities,  but  on  the  twenty-fifth  of 
First  month,  1864,  being  sent  for  by  them,  he  accom- 
panied the  messenger  to  the  office  of  the  Provost  Marshal, 
where  much  effort  was  made,  by  argument  and  persua- 
sion, to  induce  him  to  yield  to  the  requisitions  of  the 
Government  and  perform  the  military  service  or  pay  the 
pecuniary  equivalent.  He,  however,  steadily  maintained 
his  testimony  against  all  wars  and  expressed  his  willing- 
ness to  suffer  the  consequences  that  might  be  permitted 
to  come  upon  him  rather  than  to  assist  in  the  destruction 
of  his  fellow-creatures  or  to  compromise  his  religious 
principles  in  any  way.  At  the  close  of  the  interview  the 
officers  willing  to  grant  as  much  relief  as  possible,  com- 
patible with  their  instructions,  allowed  a  postponement 
of  the  case  until  it  should  have  been  represented  to  the 
Secretary  of  War.  This  was  accordingly  done,  and  on 
thirteenth  of  Second  month,  1864,  he  was  informed  by  the 
Provost  Marshal  that  in  consequence  of  orders  which 
had  been  received  from  the  War  Department  that  those 
who  were  conscientious  against  bearing  arms  or  paying 
commutation  fees  were  to  be  considered  non-combatants, 


Age  33      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  47 

and  upon  the  Provost  Marshal  being  convinced  of  their 
sincerity  to  be  paroled.  He  v^as  accordingly  at  liberty 
until  he  should  be  again  sent  for,  but  after  this  he  was 
not  again  disturbed. 

Some  Account  of  Interview  with  the  Provost 
Marshal  by  J.  S.  E. 

On  the  twenty-third  of  First  month,  1864,  there  came 
a  messenger  from  the  Provost  Marshal  of  this  district, 
William  C.  Lehman,  with  instructions  according  to  his 
own  statement  to  bring  me  before  him.  I  hesitated  about 
complying  therewith,  which,  being  observed,  the  messen- 
ger said:  "If  it  does  not  suit  you  to  come  now,  come  up 
on  Monday  at  one  o'clock."  I  took  advantage  of  this  in 
order  to  gain  time  for  consideration,  the  only  point  in 
holding  back  was  whether  I  was  not  voluntarily  placing 
myself  under  military  authority.  I  told  the  messenger 
I  would  either  go  to  the  Marshal's  office  on  Second-day, 
the  twenty-fifth,  at  one  o'clock,  or  send  a  reason  for  not 
doing  it.  He  went  away,  not  quite  satisfied  with  my  not 
going,  saying,  "You  had  better  not  send  a  reason.  I 
would  rather  you  would  go  with  me  now,  as  I  was  told 
to  bring  you;  but  I  will  take  back  your  answer  to  the 
Marshal."  On  Second-day,  the  twenty-fifth,  another 
messenger  came  after  me  about  10.30  A.  M.,  being  before 
the  time  named  on  Seventh-day  and  having  deliberately 
decided  it  would  be  best  for  me  to  go,  I  went  with  him 
to  the  Provost  Marshal's  office.     The  messenger  on  the 


d8  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i863 

way  up  endeavored  to  present  to  my  view  that  the  best 
thing  to  be  done  was  to  procure  a  substitute.  Soon  after 
entering  the  office,  the  Provost  Marshal  said  to  a  dignified 
looking  man  sitting  beside  him,  whom  I  took  to  be  the 
Commissioner :  "Alderman,  this  is  one  of  our  law-abiding 
citizens  who  belongs  to  a  persuasion  or  sect  whose  prin- 
ciples or  rules  are  against  fighting."  The  following  is 
a  concise  statement  of  the  conversation  which  ensued 
as  nearly  as  remembered : 

Provost  Marshal :  "Do  you  not  consider  we  are  bound 
to  obey  the  law?' 

J.  S.  E. :  "In  every  way  not  opposed  or  contrary  to  the 
Divine  Law." 

Provost  Marshal :  "Some  may  say  one  thing  and  some 
say  another  thing  is  opposed  to  this  law  you  speak  of. 
Would  it  not  lead  into  confusion  and  who  is  to  judge?" 

J.  S.  E. :  "It  is  our  doctrine  that  when  any  advance 
sentiments  or  take  a  position  contrary  to  the  Holy 
Scriptures,  they  are  not  to  be  heard  and  we  are  willing 
to  be  judged  by  this  rule  ourselves.  There  is  in  the 
breast  of  each  of  us  the  sense  of  right  and  wrong,  we 
may  not  see  alike  in  all  things,  differing  according  to  the 
measure  of  Divine  Grace  received,  but  there  are  some 
things  in  which  we  can  all  agree,  for  instance  (address- 
ing the  Commissioner),  thou  no  doubt  believes  it  would 
be  wrong  to  go  into  a  person's  store  and  take  his  money 
and  that  it  would  also  be  wrong  to  send  another  for 
that  purpose,  and  if  thou  wast  told  if  thou  didst  not 


Age  33      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  49 

do  the  act  thou  must  pay  a  sum  thou  wouldst  not  pay 
for  refraining  to  do  that  thou  knew  to  be  wrong." 

Commissioner:  "Suppose  a  man  was  to  break  into  your 
house,  attack  your  wife  and  children,  would  you  not  call 
on  a  police  officer  to  put  him  out?" 

J.  S.  E. :  "I  would  have  no  objection  to  doing  that;  we 
are  friends  of  good  order,  and  there  is  nothing  in  me 
that  would  object  on  the  ground  of  principle,  to  serve 
as  a  public  officer,  and  if  appointed  should  not  object  to 
serve  (not  that  I  have  any  liking  for  the  business),  but 
I  would  not  carry  arms,  nor  would  I  shrink  from  going 
into  places  of  danger  in  the  performance  of  duty ;  if  I 
did  I  would  be  justly  chargeable  with  the  imputation  of 
cowardice,  which  was  so  often  cast  upon  us." 

Commissioner:  "Would  you  not  kill  a  man  to  defend 
or  save  your  own  life?" 

J.  S.  E. :  "No;  I  must  trust  to  a  Higher  Power  for 
safety.  I  would  not  take  life  unless  it  were  done  in  a 
time  of  weakness,  heated  by  passion,  in  which  case  I 
would  condemn  it.  I  can  under  no  circumstances  justify 
taking  life." 

Provost  Marshal:  "Do  you  remember  the  text  in  refer- 
ence to  paying  tribute:  'Render  unto  Caesar  the  things 
that  are  Caesar's  and  unto  God  the  things  that  are 
God's  ?'  " 

J.  S.  E. :  "We  accept  the  text  that  we  are  to  pay  taxes 
or  tribute  for  the  purposes  of  general  government,  and 
as  we  do  not  expect  to  have  a  controlling  influence  in  the 


50  JOSEPH   S.   EIvKINTON  i863 

disposition  of  the  public  funds,  we  do  not  consider  we 
are  responsible  if  portions  of  it  are  applied  to  purposes 
which  we  cannot  approve,  and  in  accordance  with  this 
view  of  the  matter  I  pay  to  the  government  in  the  form 
of  duties  and  taxes  on  goods,  etc.,  nearly  as  much  as  I 
give  my  own  family  for  support;  but  when  taxes  are 
levied  for  a  special  purpose  inconsistent  with  the  spirit 
and  precepts  of  the  Christian  religion,  we  cannot  pay 
them." 

Commissioner:  "The  $300  commutation  money  is  not 
applied  for  the  special  purpose  of  employing  substitutes, 
but  goes  into  the  public  treasury  to  be  applied  to  such 
use  as  Congress  deems  proper." 

J.  S.  E. :  "That  is  different  from  what  I  have  always 
understood  and,  if  correct,  would  remove  one  objection; 
but  there  is  another  objection  I  cannot  get  over,  and 
that  is  paying  for  what  I  believe  to  be  wrong." 

Commissioner :  "In  some  places  in  the  country  the  law 
stands  that  if  a  man  will  not  serve  as  constable  when 
elected,  he  is  to  pay  a  fine,  and  some  of  your  people 
have  so  done." 

J.  S.  E. :  "There  is  this  distinction  in  their  situation 
and  my  present  one,  refusing  to  act  as  constable  would 
only  be  a  question  of  dislike.  If  appointed,  I  should 
probably  serve;  but  if  I  did  not,  could  not  object  on 
conscientious  grounds  to  paying  the  fine.  But  in  my 
present  situation  I  object  to  serving  in  the  army,  because 
it  is  considered  the  business  of  a  soldier  to  go  forth  to 


Age  33      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  51 

kill  and  destroy,  which  is  incompatible  with  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  Christian  religion  and  was  so  considered 
by  the  early  Christians,  none  of  whom  were  to  be  found 
in  the  army  for  about  three  centuries  after  our  Saviour 
and  many  suffered  death  because  of  their  unwillingness 
to  bear  arms,  and  we  have  an  account  of  one  young  man 
in  particular  who  suffered  death  rather  than  wear  the 
mark  or  badge  of  a  soldier." 

Commissioner:  "Is  that  correct?" 

J.  S.  E. :  "The  account  handed  down  by  history  is 
that  not  until  the  decline  of  the  Church  did  those  pro- 
fessing Christianity  enter  into  the  army  and  the  first 
account  we  have  of  a  Christian  Legion,  as  it  was  called, 
is  somewhere  about  the  third  or  fourth  century." 

Commissioner:  "But  has  not  your  Society  come  to 
some  understanding  in  this  matter?  I  think  in  some 
sections  of  the  country,  when  the  draft  was  proposed 
under  the  State  law  some  eighteen  months  ago,  number.s 
of  your  people  gave  security  they  would  pay  such  a  sum 
as  the  Legislature  should  inflict  in  lieu  of  military  serv-' 
ice.  I  think  there  were  some  cases  of  this  kind  came 
before  me,  but  the  draft  never  came  off,  and  the  Legis- 
lature never  acted  on  the  matter." 

J.  S.  E. :  "I  was  not  aware  of  such  having  been  done. 
I  never  gave  such  security,  nor  has  our  Society  in  this 
city  come  to  such  an  understanding.  We  would  disown 
our  members  if  they  were  to  pay  such  a  fine." 

Commissioner:   "At  the  time  of  the   application   for 


52  JOSEPH  S.   ELKINTON  i863 

exemption  under  the  State  law,  there  were  numbers  came 
to  us  making  claim  for  exemption  that  we  did  not  believe 
had  any  conscientious  scruples,  but  only  made  claim  to 
get  off,  but  the  law  required  us  to  exempt  them  and  we 
had  to  grant  it." 

J.  S.  E. :  "We  have  reason  to  believe  such  was  the  case, 
that  some  who  might  perhaps  be  found  in  a  private  brawl 
did  but  make  pretense  of  conscience  to  get  exempted, 
which  was  a  reproach  on  us  and  we  had  to  bear  it,  but 
I  hope  my  conduct  through  life  may  be  such  that  I  may 
not  only  be  consistent  with  myself,  but  that  you  also 
may  be  satisfied  concerning  my  sincerity." 

Commissioner:  "I  believe  yours  a  real  case  of  con- 
science, but  the  national  law  does  not  grant  exemption 
on  that  ground." 

Provost  Marshal:  "It  has  been  decided  by  Holt  and 
Whitely  (he  then  read  certain  documents  on  the  sub- 
ject) that  when  a  drafted  man  claimed  exemption  and 
it  was  not  granted,  that  such  person  should  render  per- 
sonal service,  and  there  is  no  law  to  grant  exemption  on 
the  ground  of  conscience.  I  am  disposed  to  give  your 
views  consideration,  but  am  in  a  strait ;  yet  I  see  the  utter 
absurdity  of  sending  a  man  to  the  army  who  will  not 
fight  or  carry  a  musket." 

J.  S.  E. :  "I  make  no  claim  for  exemption  on  any  law 
of  the  United  States.  Under  the  State  we  have  a  law 
exempting  those  who  for  conscience  sake  cannot  fight, 
but,  it  not  being  under  the  national  law,  I  must  simply 


Age  33      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  53 

abide  the  issue  of  my  case,  having  nothing  new  to  offer. 
It  is  no  use  for  any  one  to  come  forward  and  make  con- 
fession of  conscientious  scruples  without  they  would 
rather  suffer  than  compromise  their  principles." 

Provost  Marshal:  "In  some  of  the  cases  brought  up 
on  this  ground  some  of  their  friends  have  managed  the 
matter  and  satisfied  the  law."  (Evidently  meaning  by 
paying  the  commutation  fee.) 

J.  S.  E. :  "Doubtless  those  who  paid  were  influenced 
by  kind  motives,  but  it  would  be  much  better  for  our 
people  if  they  would  mind  their  own  business  and  leave 
us  to  our  principles  for  support,  for  if  we  found  they 
would  not  support  us  in  time  of  emergency,  we  would 
give  them  up."* 

My  father,  now  entering  the  office,  he  and  the  Com- 
missioner became  engaged  on  the  subject  of  the  com- 
mutation fee,  the  Commissioner  saying  it  went  into  the 
public  treasury  and  was  therefore  not  different  from  any 
other  tax.  Father  did  not  consider  that  the  case,  but 
that  it  was  for  the  express  purpose  of  procuring  substi- 
tutes. He  also  added  that  even  though  the  money  might 
be  applied  for  benevolent  objects  of  which  we  might 
approve,   we   still   could   not   pay   for   exemption    from 


*One  of  my  neighbors  was  very  desirous  to  pay  the  commuta- 
tion fee  and  it  would  probably  have  been  a  satisfaction  to  him  to 
have  been  allowed  to  do  it.  I  had  much  difficulty  to  dissuade 
him,  telling  him  I  wanted  my  liberty,  but  not  at  the  price  of 
blood,  and  that  were  he  to  pay  for  me  it  would  grieve  me. 


54  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1864 

military  service,  and  stated  it  had  been  proposed  by  the 
Secretary  of  War  that  a  fund  should  be  founded  on  the 
commutation  money  and  appropriated  for  the  benefit  of 
the  Freedmen,  a  class  in  whom  our  sympathies  were  much 
inlisted,  but  we  could  not  consent  thereto. 

The  Commissioner  asked  the  Marshal  if  the  case  could 
not  be  postponed.  He  replied  in  the  affirmative,  and  it 
was  put  off  one  week,  the  Marshal  expressing  the  wish  I 
would  find  some  hole  for  him  to  creep  out  of.  Father 
observed  the  Secretary  of  War  had  paroled  those  on 
whose  account  he  had  been  applied  to,  who  were  re- 
strained from  joining  the  army  by  their  conscientious 
scruples.  The  Commissioner  remarked  that  would  re- 
lieve us.  We  believe  this  a  real  case  of  conscience  and 
if  necessary  would  be  willing  to  express  it  in  writing. 
I  said  I  would  like  to  have  it.  The  Marshal  whispered 
something  to  the  Commissioner,  and  it  was  left. 

Fourth  month  2j,  1864.  I  wrote  the  following  letter  to 
Secretary  of  War: 

First  Month  25,  1864. 
Edwin  M.  Stanton,  Secretary  of  War, 

Respected  Friexd  :  On  the  27th  of  Seventh  month  last  I  was 
drafted  for  service  into  the  army  of  the  United  States  and  re- 
ceived notice  soon  after  from  the  Provost  Marshal  to  report 
at  the  rendezvous  on  the  14th  of  the  following  month  for  mili- 
tary service.  I  sent  a  statement  to  the  Provost  Marshal  that  my 
non-compliance  with  this  order  was  in  consequence  of  the  convic- 
tion in  my  own  mind  that  all  wars  and  fightings  are  contrary  to 
the  spirit  and  precepts  of  the  Christian  religion,  and  therefore  I 
felt  conscientiously  restrained  from  performing  military  service, 


Age  34      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  55 

furnishing  a  substitute  or  paying  any  sum  as  a  commutation  fee. 
To-day  I  was  sent  for  by  the  Marshal,  William  L.  Lehman,  who 
treated  me  respectfully;  said  he  was  in  a  strait,  although  dis- 
posed to  give  my  views  consideration,  he  did  not  see  any  other 
course  legally  to  pursue  than  to  send  me  to  the  army  unless  he 
had  authority  from  thee  to  act  otherwise,  and  adjourned  the  case 
for  one  week,  which  he  said  would  give  me  opportunity  to  hear 
from  thee.  I  therefore  respectfully  solicit  such  a  document  from 
thy  hand  as  may  induce  him  to  grant  me  the  continuance  of  my 
liberty. 

Joseph  S.  Elkinton, 

783  South  Second  Street. 
P.    S. — Understanding    thou    art    personally    acquainted    with 
Thomas  Evans,  of  this  city,  and  he  having  knowledge  of  me,  I 
have  asked  a  certificate  of  his  view  of  the  sincerity  of  my  declara- 
tion. 

Copy  of  Thomas  Evans'  certificate : 

I  believe  the  above  account  of  my  friend  Joseph  S.  Elkinton 
to  be  correct  and  commend  his  case  to  the  kind  consideration  and 
action  of  my  valued  friend,  Edwin  M.  Stanton. 

Thomas  Evans. 

Second  month  i.  Went  at  the  time  appointed  to  the 
office  of  the  Provost  Marshal  and  waiting  until  about 
fifteen  minutes  of  10  o'clock,  and  he  not  appearing,  I 
wrote  the  following  note  and  left  it  in  his  office  to  be 
given  him : 

First  month  25,  1864. 
William  E.  Lehman,  Provost  Marshal. 

Respected  Friend  :  I  came  at  the  time  appointed  to  this  place 
and  not  seeing  thee,  and  there  being  a  religious  meeting  I  am 
desirous  of  attending  I  leave,  but  will  return  at  any  time  thou 
wilt  appoint  and  inform  me,  or  as  soon  after  as  practical. 

Joseph  S.  Elkinton. 


^ 


56  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1864 

Second  month  i.  Was  again  sent  for  by  the  Provost 
Marshal,  and  I  told  him  and  the  Commissioner  that  I 
had  written  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  but  had  received 
no  answer.  I  had  not  expected  he  would  write  to  me, 
but  thought  perhaps  he  would  write  to  some  official. 

The  Provost  IMarshal  then  said  that  orders  had  been 
received  from  W^ashington  that  those  who  were  drafted 
and  were  conscientious  against  bearing  arms  or  paying 
commutation  fees,  or  belonged  to  a  creed  whose  doc- 
trines or  rules  forbid  fighting,  might  be  considered  as 
noncombatants,  and  upon  the  Provost  ^Marshal  being 
satisfied  with  their  sincerity,  was  at  liberty  to  parole  them 
until  they  should  be  sent  for,  which  said  the  Commis- 
sioner, "will  never  be.  And,"  continued  the  ]\Iarshal, 
"as  your  case  seems  to  be  covered  by  this,  we  will  so 
dispose  of  it,  and  do  not  see  that  it  is  necessary  to  detain 
you  longer."  Then  said  I,  'T  am  at  liberty  until  sent 
for?"  "Yes,"  he  replied.  I  then  remarked,  "I  receive 
my  liberty  with  thankfulness  and  am  glad  there  are  some 
in  this  day  who  are  willing  to  think  as  George  Washing- 
ton when  he  lay  with  his  army  at  Valley  Forge.  There 
w^ere  brought  before  him  four  Friends  with  muskets 
strapped  on  their  backs  to  know  what  was  to  be  done 
with  them.  Washington  said,  'We  do  not  want  such 
men  that  will  not  fight;  let  them  go.  The  Quakers  are 
a  peaceable,  industrious  people,  and  do  not  give  the 
Government  trouble.  It  is  better  for  the  country  to  let 
them  raise  corn  and  other  articles  than  to  undertake  to 


Age  34      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  57 

make  them  do  what  they  are  no  manner  of  use  at.'  " 
The  Provost  Marshal  responded,  "I  think  Washington 
wise."  Thus  I  trust  ends  this  matter,  which  has  given 
me  considerable  exercise,  accompanied  with  the  desire 
that,  in  whatever  situation  I  may  be  thrown,  I  may  be 
preserved  from  breaking  the  noble  testimony  we  are 
called  upon  to  bear  to  the  peaceable  nature  of  the 
Redeemer's  Kingdom.  And  feelings  of  thankfulness 
are  due  unto  Him  who  hath  disposed  those  in  authority 
to  regard  conscience  and  hath  planted  in  our  hearts  this 
living  principle  which,  if  lived  up  to,  not  only  insures 
a  feeling  of  peace,  but  preserves  from  rushing  into  that 
scene  of  carnage  and  destruction  which  is  now  spread- 
ing such  desolation  throughout  the  land. 

Second  month  20.  Received  a  reply  from  the  War 
Department  to  my  letter  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  stat- 
ing that  a  furlough  had  been  ordered  to  be  granted  me 
until  called  for. 

The  letter  is  as  follows : 

War   Department, 

Washington  City,  February  18th,  1864. 
Sir:   In  reply  to  your  communication  of  the  25th  ultimo,  I  am 
instructed   by   the    Secretary  of   War   to    inform   you   that   you 
have  been  ordered  to  be  granted  a  furlough  until  called  for. 
Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

Ed.  M.  Stanton, 

Brig.  Gen'l,  A.  A.  G. 
Joseph  S.  Elkinton, 
783  South  Second  Street,  Philadelphia,  Penna. 


58  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1864 

Special  orders  No.  88. 

War  Department, 
Adjutant   General's   Office. 

Washington,  February  23,  1864. 
(Extract.) 
32.  Joseph  S.  Elkinton,  a  drafted  man,  from  the  First  Dis- 
trict of  Pennsylvania,  now  at  headquarters  of  that  district,  a 
member  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  will  be  permitted  to  absent 
himself  from  military  duty  upon  his  parole  of  honor,  to  return 
whenever  called  for.     .     .     . 

By  order  of  the  Secretary  of  War. 

E.    D.    TOWNSEND, 

(Official)  Assistant  Adjutant  Gen'l. 

E.   D.   ToWNSEND, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

Second  month  2.  I  was  quite  tender  one  morning  on 
the  street  as  I  was  tapped  on  the  shoulder  by  an  old  man 
apparently  near  the  end  of  his  earthly  journey,  who  was 
the  pastor  of  what  is  called  the  "Old  Swedes'  Church," 
the  oldest  house  of  worship  in  this  city.  He  said  to  me : 
"I  heard  you  were  ordered  to  go  to  war.  I  am  con- 
cerned about  you.  What  will  you  do?"  I  replied,  "I 
will  not  go  without  they  take  me,  and  then  I  cannot  fight, 
for  Christianity  forbids  it."  "You  stick  to  that,"  said 
he,  as  he  passed  on. 


CHAPTER  III. 
Beginning  of  Ministerial  Services. 

Second  month.  My  aunt  Edith,  wife  of  uncle  George 
Elkinton,  deceased  Second  month  2d,  1864,  after  a 
week's  illness  of  typhoid  pneumonia.  At  her  funeral  I 
quoted  the  language :  "Be  ye  therefore  perfect  even  as 
your  Father  which  is  in  heaven  is  perfect,"  and  as 
nothing  impure  or  unholy  could  ever  enter  the  abode 
of  rest  and  peace,  how  important  that  we  be  prepared  to 
be  brought  to  the  judgment  seat  of  Him  who  will  reward 
every  man  according  to  the  deeds  done  in  the  body, 
whether  they  be  good  or  whether  they  be  evil.  Believing 
the  present  to  be  a  time  of  renewed  visitation  to  some 
then  present,  my  heart's  desire  and  prayer  was,  there 
might  be  a  co-operation  with  the  manifestations  of  the 
Spirit  of  Truth,  whereby  ability  would  be  received  to 
cease  to  do  evil  and  to  learn  to  do  well,  and  one  evil 
propensity  after  another  being  overcome,  there  would 
be  experienced  a  growth  and  establishment  in  the  Truth. 

Second  month  12.  Attended  Twelfth  Street  Meeting 
and  felt  constrained  to  begin  with  the  language:  "Be 
still  and  know  that  I  am  God."  "And  this  is  life  eternal 
that  they  might  know  thee,  the  only  true  God  and  Jesus 
Christ,  whom  thou  hast  sent."  And  how  shall  we  know 
the  Saviour,  save  as  he  is  revealed  to  us  in  the  secret 

59 


60  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1865 

of  our  hearts.  If  we  be  concerned  to  gather  in  the  still- 
ness of  all  flesh  seeking  the  Saviour,  being  drawn  by 
the  drawing  chords  of  the  Father's  love,  He  will  appear 
unto  us  as  a  light,  opening  our  understanding  and  giving 
us  to  see  concerning  those  things  which  belong  to  our 
soul's  peace,  and  as  we  are  willing  to  follow  the  Light, 
though  it  lead  into  the  path  of  self-denial  and  abasedness 
of  self,  we  would  know  the  Lord  Jesus  to  be  our  Leader 
and  Director  and  the  invincible  Captain  of  our  salvation, 
giving  us  the  victory  over  one  evil  propensity  after 
another,  until  our  thoughts  and  affections  became 
changed.  That  which  was  earthly  shall  become  heavenly, 
yea  we  shall  know  of  the  baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost 
and  of  fire,  that  all  that  is  contrary  to  the  Divine  Nature 
shall  be  cleansed  and  consumed ;  and  experiencing  the 
answer  of  a  good  conscience  toward  God,  our  hearts 
will  become  fit  temples  for  his  holiness  to  dwell  in. 

"  'Ye  are  the  temple  of  the  living  God.  If  so  be,  He 
will  dwell  in  you  and  be  in  you,'  then  indeed  shall  we 
know  the  Father,  holding  union  and  communion  with 
Him  and  shall  be  made  heirs  of  immortality  and  eternal 
life." 

Third  month  14,  1865.  Our  dear  mother  passed  from 
time  to  eternity  about  four  o'clock  this  morning,  on  which 
solemn  occasion  father  was  bowed  in  supplication,  com- 
mencing with  "Oh,  Thou  who  alone  knoweth  the  end 
from  the  beginning,"  and  then  went  on  to  plead  for 
support  during  the  remaining  days  which  were  to  be 


Age  35     DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  61 

allotted  to  him.  I  was  told  that  on  the  day  my  dear 
father  and  mother  were  married  that  father  appeared 
in  prayer  with  the  same  language  as  that  he  used  in  the 
beginning  of  his  supplication  to-day  when  mother  died. 

Third  month  i6.  We  were  favored  with  a  solemn 
opportunity  at  the  time  of  the  funeral.  Hannah  War- 
rington, Samuel  Settle,  uncle  George  Elkinton,  Yardly 
Warner  and  Samuel  Cope  all  had  offerings.  At  the 
grave  I  knelt  and  implored  that  the  dispensation  might 
be  blessed  and  sanctified;  that  every  desire  after  holi- 
ness and  amendment  of  life  might  be  strengthened ;  that 
by  walking  by  the  same  rule  and  minding  the  same  things 
as  those  who  have  been  gathered  to  their  eternal  rest, 
we  also  might  be  permitted  to  lay  down  our  heads  in 
peace  and  be  gathered  into  that  city  whose  walls  are 
salvation  and  whose  gates  are  praise. 

Fourth  month  24.  Our  beloved  friend,  Ann  Branson, 
from  Ohio,  spent  the  afternoon  and  took  tea  with  us. 
We  had  a  memorable  religious  opportunity  in  which  she 
addressed  me,  saying  that  as  I  had  had  a  sense  of  right, 
it  was  her  desire  I  might  hold  thereto  and  be  faithful  to 
the  manifestations  of  the  Spirit. 

Later.  The  next  day  she  dined  at  the  home  of  Charles 
Williams,  where  she  had  some  service  with  two  girls 
employed  by  the  family.  To  one  of  them  she  spoke  in 
an  encouraging  manner;  to  the  other  by  way  of  warning 
against  false  speaking,  stealing,  etc.  It  afterward  proved 
that  Ann  Branson  had  a  correct  sense  of  their  respective 


62  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1865 

states,  as  Grace  Williams  testified  to  the  one  as  being 
faithful  and  the  other  exceedingly  trying  and  deceitful. 
Fifth  month  28.  Attended  Western  District  Meeting 
this  evening  and  appeared  in  testimony  in  this  wise :  "As 
the  mountains  are  round  about  Jerusalem,  so  is  the  Lord 
round  about  them  that  fear  him.  Yea,  the  angel  of  his 
presence  will  encamp  round  about  them  that  fear  him 
and  will  deliver  them."  I  had  been  led  into  sympathy 
with  a  state  that  did  love  the  Lord  Jesus  in  sincerity, 
was  concerned  to  walk  humbly  with  their  God,  having 
his  holy  fear  before  their  eyes,  but  were  bowed  down,  as 
it  were,  beyond  measure;  under  a  sense  it  might  be  of 
their  own  shortcomings,  or  borne  under  a  weight  of 
affliction ;  or  it  might  be  on  account  of  the  low  state  of  the 
Church.  There  were  many  things  on  account  of  which 
we  might  be  properly  exercised,  but  it  was  not  designed 
we  should  dwell  upon  them  to  our  destruction.  As  in  the 
outward,  it  was  not  good  to  dwell  upon  a  subject  to  the 
exclusion  of  all  else  till  the  mind  became  unbalanced,  so 
in  the  spiritual  it  was  not  best  to  dwell  upon  a  dispensa- 
tion till  that  holy  composure  and  settlement,  which  was 
the  portion  of  the  righteous,  should  be  broken  up,  lest 
we  lose  our  confidence  in  that  Omnipotent  Arm  of  power 
which  had  hitherto  helped  us  and  delivered  us  out  of  all 
our  distresses.  If  there  is  such  a  state,  it  is  with  me  to 
speak  comfortingly,  reminding  such,  there  are  given 
unto  us  exceeding  great  and  precious  promises,  that  by 
these  we  might  be  made  partakers  of  the  divine  nature, 


Age  35      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  63 

having  union  and  communion  with  God.  And  though 
it  might  please  Him  to  feed  us  with  the  bread  of  adver- 
sity and  with  the  water  of  affliction,  and  veil  the  gloriou*' 
light  of  his  countenance  from  us  so  that  every  sensible 
evidence  of  the  divine  favor  be  withdrawn,  yet  He  would 
never  leave  nor  forsake  those  whose  love  is  chaste  and 
pure  toward  Him.  "I  will  not  leave  thee  nor  forsake 
thee."  May  we  therefore  cry  unto  Him  who  is  able  to 
give  us  the  faith  which  the  inspired  writer  possessed 
when  he  said :  "Though  the  fig  tree  should  not  blossom 
and  the  labor  of  the  olive  should  fail,  and  there  be  no 
fruit  on  the  vine,  and  the  flocks  be  cut  off  from  the  field, 
and  there  be  no  herd  in  the  stall,  yet  will  I  joy  in  the 
Lord  and  rejoice  in  the  God  of  my  salvation."  As  we 
come  to  this  we  shall  be  enabled  to  rejoice  in  tribulation 
and  learn  in  whatsoever  state  we  are,  therewith  to  be 
content.  Ye  that  fear  the  Lord,  hope  in  the  Lord  for 
everlasting  joy  and  mercy. 

Eighth  month.  When  out  on  a  business  trip  through 
the  South  and  whilst  in  Richmond  I  was  struck  with  the 
number  of  colored  men  to  be  seen  on  the  streets,  as  it 
was  in  Washington  last  winter.  There  is  certainly  a 
large  field  for  philanthropy  and  benevolence  here.  They 
have  in  a  way  but  poor  ideas  of  economy.  It  is  feared 
that  next  winter  when  employment  may  be  more  difficult 
to  obtain,  there  will  be  much  suffering.  A  citizen  of 
Richmond  remarked  to  me  that  everybody  wondered  at 
one  thing,  and  that  was  the  quiet  and  orderly  manner  in 


64  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i865 

which  the  blacks  had  conducted   themselves   since   the 
transition  from  a  state  of  slavery. 

Engaged  a  conveyance  to  take  me  from  Richmond  to 
Petersburg.  The  colored  driver  w^as  an  interesting  man 
and  very  communicative  in  reference  to  the  operations 
of  the  war.  His  wife  had  been  a  slave  to  one  who,  it  was 
said,  owned  five  hundred  slaves.  He  said  he  waited  on 
a  Florida  regiment  that  went  into  battle  fifteen  hundred 
strong,  of  whom  only  ten  were  supposed  to  be  alive ;  but, 
said  he,  no  colored  man  entered  the  Confederate  army 
because  he  wanted  to  fight  for  the  Confederate  cause, 
but  many  in  Richmond  joined  because  they  were  so 
nearly  starved  out  and  wanted  to  get  something  to  eat 
and  a  suit  of  clothes,  hoping  to  have  a  chance  to  desert 
or  be  taken  prisoner.  I  saw  much  of  the  earthworks  on 
the  side  of  Richmond  towards  Petersburg,  and  for  fif- 
teen miles  or  more  the  woods  and  trees  were  blackened 
and  burned  from  the  engagement.  This  appears  to  be 
where  Butler  fought  and  retreated. 

I  saw  many  graves  of  the  poor  creatures  who  were 
sent  into  eternity,  many  of  whom,  no  doubt,  in  an  un- 
prepared state.  I  remarked  to  the  driver,  "A  man 
makes  a  small  show  when  his  bones  are  under  ground." 

"But  what  about  his  soul?"  said  the  colored  man. 

Returned  to  Richmond  on  the  rickety  cars.  Not  a 
seat  had  a  back,  although  they  charged  about  three  prices 
for  fare.     This  road,  I  understood,  was  used  by  Lee  in 


Age  35      DIARY  AND   CORRESPONDENCE  65 

moving  his  troops  back  and  forth  in  the  line  of  battle 
between  Richmond  and  Petersburg. 

Tenth  month.  Taken  from  a  letter  to  J.  S.  E.  by  his 
father,  who  had  started  out  with  Joseph  Scattergood, 
Thomas  Wistar  and  Ebenezer  Worth  to  visit  among  the 
Indians  and  deliver  an  address  prepared  by  the  Indian 
Committee : 

My  dear  Son  : — We  left  Albany  at  7  o'clock  A.  M. ; 
came  on  to  Oneida,  a  distance  of  one  hundred  and 
twenty-two  miles,  and  hired  a  conveyance  to  take  us  to 
the  Indian  settlement,  a  distance  of  about  three  miles. 
Went  to  the  house  of  Thomas  Cornelius,  an  Oneida 
Indian  and  a  minister  of  the  Methodist  persuasion 
amongst  them.  They  kindly  took  us  in  and  in  the  course 
of  the  afternoon  prepared  a  good  supper  for  us.  We 
opened  the  subject  of  our  visit  to  him,  and  he,  in  con- 
junction with  one  of  their  chiefs,  concluded  to  call  their 
people  together  in  the  evening,  which  was  accordingly 
done,  and  we  had  rather  a  remarkable  interview  with 
them.  After  the  reading  of  the  Address  of  the  Com- 
mittee, which  informed  them  of  the  object  of  our  visit 
to  them,  we  had  each  of  us  some  remarks  to  make, 
which,  by  their  replies,  were  cordially  received.  They 
appeared  very  glad  of  the  visit  and  spoke  of  the  long 
time  that  had  elapsed  since  they  had  been  visited  by 
Friends.  Four  of  their  people  replied  to  what  had  been 
said  to  them,  expressing  their  thanks  therefor.  The 
men  commenced  each  taking  us  by  the  hand  as  they 


66  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1865 

passed  out  and  followed  by  the  women  doing  the  same 
in  quite  a  touching  manner.  We  returned  to  the  house 
of  Thomas  Cornelius  and  after  taking  our  seats  in  his 
parlor,  he  said,  "We  have  had  a  good  time."  Thomas 
appears  to  be  a  man  of  sweet  and  pleasant  countenance 
and  the  order  manifested  in  his  family  was  very  pleasant 
to  observe.  {Next  day.)  After  breakfast  this  morning 
we  went  in  a  lumber  wagon  three  or  four  miles  from 
Thomas  Cornelius'  to  another  part  of  the  settlement, 
where  we  met  with  a  number  of  men  and  women  at  the 
School  and  Meeting  House,  which  is  sometimes  occupied 
for  one  and  sometimes  for  another  purpose.  We  in- 
formed them  in  a  few  words  the  object  of  our  visit  and 
each  one  of  the  Committee  had  some  remarks  to  make, 
which  appeared  to  be  comforting  and  satisfactory  to 
them.  We  were  then  told  that  each  of  those  assembled 
would  pass  by  and  take  us  by  the  hand  as  was  done  last 
evening,  they  keeping  up  their  singing  until  the  last  one 
of  us  had  been  taken  by  the  hand.  We  contemplate  get- 
ting to  Onondaga  to-night.  We  are  all  well  and  expect 
to  pursue  our  journey  with  diligence. 

With  love  to  all,  I  remain  affectionately  thy  father, 

Joseph  Elkinton. 

St,  Regis  Reservation, 

St.  Lawrence  River. 
Eleventh  month  2. 
My  dear  Son  Joseph  S.     Have  a  little  leisure  this 


Age  35      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  67 

morning  previous  to  the  assembling  of  Council  which  is 
to  convene  at  12  M. 

My  last  was  dated  Tenth  month  31st,  from  Ogdens- 
burg.  That  night  we  arrived  safely  at  Coonsville,  where 
we  lodged.  Yesterday  morning  we  took  boat  to  St. 
Regis  and  arrived  here  about  9  A.  M.  We  felt  like 
strangers  in  a  strange  land.  Upon  landing,  inquiry  was 
made  for  a  chief's  house,  and  we  were  taken  to  one  not 
far  from  the  wharf  and  were  kindly  received.  His  name 
was  Solomon  and  he  was  a  Roman  Catholic.  We  passed 
by  the  house  of  the  priest,  who  resides  near  the  church, 
as  it  is  called,  but  we  did  not  see  him.  We  found  it  was 
a  holiday  among  them  and  soon  heard  the  bell  ringing 
to  collect  the  people.  Several  of  the  natives  were  in  the 
house  and  we,  in  a  brief  manner,  told  them  of  the  object 
of  our  visit,  and  they  concluded  to  meet  us  in  Council  at 
noon  to-day,  after  which  we  went  through  a  part  of  the 
Reservation  and  dined  with  Thomas  Hill,  a  St.  Regis 
Indian,  and  had  considerable  conversation  with  himself 
and  wife  and  Thomas  La  Forte  upon  the  subject  of  edu- 
cating the  children  of  the  natives.  On  our  return  we 
called  on  two  of  the  natives,  one  of  whom  was  a  wheel- 
wright ;  then  came  on  to  the  house  of  an  Indian,  Mitchell 
Solomon,  who  kindly  offered  to  accommodate  us  over 
night,  which  we  accepted.  .  .  .  Our  Council  convened 
and  quite  a  number  of  Indians  gathered,  and  we  had  an 
interesting  interview  and  thy  father  came  off  much  more 
comfortably  than  he  expected.    After  close  of  Council  I 


68  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1865 

went  to  Mitchell  Solomon's  and  bade  his  wife  and  family 
farewell,  thanking  them  for  their  hospitality.  We  went 
to  the  wharf  and  took  passage  in  the  ferryboat  to  Corn- 
wall, where  we  expect  to  take  train  and  reach  Tuscarora 
Reservation  to-morrow  evening. 

Eleventh  month  4.  We  are  at  John  Mount  Pleasant's, 
a  Tuscarora  Indian,  where  we  arrived  last  evening,  and 
were  kindly  received  by  himself  and  wife;  and  such  ac- 
commodations as  we  have  had  I  think  I  never  experienced 
in  the  house  of  an  Indian.  He  told  me  last  evening  that 
he  had  sold  nearly  a  thousand  dollars'  worth  of  hay, 
raised  from  400  to  500  bushels  of  wheat;  sold  a  large 
number  of  barrels  of  apples,  has  eleven  cows,  and  dis- 
poses of  much  butter,  for  which  he  now  gets  forty-five 
cents  per  pound.  At  a  late  agricultural  fair  at  Tono- 
wanda  he  exhibited  twenty-seven  varieties  of  apples,  and 
they  live  in  a  house  that  would  pass  very  well  in  Ger- 
mantown. 

In  much  love,  thy  father, 

Joseph  Elkinton. 

Eleventh  month  8,  i86j.  Considered  the  coldest  day 
on  record  in  this  city,  thermometer  registered  from  10  to 
18  below  zero,  at  Westtown  20  degrees  below. 

Extract  from  a  letter  of  Alfred  Cope  to  J.  S.  E. : 

First  Month  31,  1866. 
Dear  Joseph  : — Thy  company  at  our  meeting  yester- 
day was  so  acceptable  to  me  that  I  feel  that  I  should 


Age  36      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  69 

hardly  do  right  in  refraining  altogether  from  expressing 
to  thee  something  of  my  feelings.  I  hope  thou  may  be 
faithful  to  any  intimation  of  duty  from  the  right  source. 
Our  meetings  for  business  are  apt  to  fall  into  a  cold 
formal  routine,  and  if  they  do,  and  continue  so,  many 
evils  will  follow.  We  want  amongst  us  some  who  are 
not  only  sensible  of  this,  but  such  as  are  at  times  author- 
ized to  give  utterance  to  their  exercises.  These  may  be 
at  times,  as  it  were,  a  mouth-piece  to  some  whose  lips  are 
sealed.  .  .  .  Again  I  say,  let  no  discouragement  come 
over  three;  only  be  sure  thou  art  on  the  true  watch 
tower, 

Affectionately, 

A.  Cope. 

Second  month  p.  Extract  from  a  letter  to  Anna  Ed- 
gerton  from  J.  S.  E. : 

Dear  Aunt  Anna  Edgerton  : — Received  thy  affecting 
letter  with  the  account  of  the  death  of  our  dear  uncle 
Joseph  Edgerton.  .  .  .  Thou  hast  lost  a  beloved  com- 
panion, and  some  of  us  feel  that  one  has  been  removed 
who  was  deeply  concerned  for  our  present  and  everlast- 
ing welfare.  Yea,  the  church  has  lost  a  faithful  laborer 
whose  place  is  not  likely  to  be  refilled.  He  was  devoted 
to  the  good  cause  and  qualified  to  labor  abundantly  in  the 
Lord's  vineyard.  But  whilst  those  who  are  left  may  not 
possess  the  gifts  which  he  did,  yet  may  what  we  have  be 
properly  exercised  and  a  living  concern  maintained  for 
the  prosperity  of  Zion. 


70  JOSEPH  S.   ELKINTON  1866 

With  feelings  of  love,  and  deep  sympathy  to  all  the 
family.  J.  S.  Elkinton. 

An  interesting  experience  when  J.  S.  E.  was  in  Wash- 
ington, D.  C,  on  business  and  had  occasion  to  be  in  the 
House  of  Representatives  is  recorded  under  date  of 
Third  month  30th,  1866,  viz. : 

I  went  up  to  the  gallery  and  took  my  seat,  where  I 
had  been  but  a  little  while  when  the  door-keeper  called 
upon  me  to  remove  my  hat.  I  told  him  I  kept  it  on  from 
no  disrespect,  but  I  belonged  to  the  Society  of  Friends 
which  had  always  had  a  principle  to  support  against 
taking  off  the  hat  as  a  point  of  honor.  He  said  his 
orders  were  positive  not  to  allow  any  one  to  go  in  with 
his  hat  on.  I  went  to  another  door  and  took  my  seat 
where  I  was  again  called  upon  to  take  off  my  hat.  I 
reasoned  with  him,  stating  that  I  objected  from  prin- 
ciple, and  that  the  bill  then  before  Congress  was  one 
that  I  was  much  interested  in,  as  my  living  was  con- 
cerned in  it,  but  I  could  not  sacrifice  principle  for  inter- 
est. He  seemed  disposed  to  oblige  me,  but  was  evidently 
afraid  of  incurring  censure  from  his  superior  officers  if 
he  allowed  me  to  remain.  I  returned  to  the  Commis- 
sioner and  asked  him  if  he  thought  our  representative 
would  attend  to  my  interest,  and  he  thought  he  would. 
I,  however,  did  not  feel  easy  to  let  it  rest  without  making 
further  effort  to  be  present,  accordingly  returned  to  the 
Capitol  and  asked  the  door-keeper  who  had  last  spoken 
to  me  if  he  would  kindly  tell  me  just  where  the  House 


Age  36      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  71 

was  engaged.  He  went  into  the  Library  and  brought  out 
a  printed  bill  and  told  me  they  were  engaged  on  the 
same  page  our  articles  were  on;  in  fact,  he  showed  me 
no  little  kindness  and  said  he  had  great  respect  for  the 
Society  of  Friends.  I  went  to  the  floor  below  and  had 
Samuel  J.  Randall  sent  for,  who  came  out,  stating  that 
my  call  was  timely,  as  they  were  near  the  part  I  was 
most  interested  in,  but  afterward  some  one  made  a  long 
speech  which  occupied  the  time  until  an  adjournment 
was  made  at  4.35. 

Next  morning  visited  one  of  the  colored  schools  be- 
longing to  the  New  York  Freedman's  Association,  also 
one  of  Friends'  Freedman's  Association  of  this  city,  and 
was  impressed  with  the  belief  that  these  schools  were 
conferring  a  great  benefit  upon  the  colored  race.  After 
the  visit  to  these  schools,  repaired  to  the  Capitol  and 
about  10  o'clock  went  to  the  door-keeper  with  whom  I 
had  my  last  interview,  and  asked  for  the  loan  of  the 
copy  of  the  tax  bill  then  before  Congress  and  requested 
him  to  notify  me  when  the  House  entered  upon  that 
subject,  which  he  did.  I  then  went  round  to  the  south 
door  of  the  gallery  and  took  a  seat  inside  opposite  Ran- 
dall, so  that  he  had  full  opportunity  to  observe  me  by 
my  hat  and  be  reminded  thereby  of  my  desire  to  have 
sal  soda  entered  on  the  bill.  The  matter  was  attended 
to,  and  after  calling  Samuel  Randall  out  and  expressing 
obligation  to  him  for  his  attention,  I  returned  home  with 
a  thankful  heart  that  the  object  of  my  visit  had  been 


72  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1866 

successful,  and  I  had  not  compromised  my  principle, 
although  on  my  return  my  brother  advised  me  next  time 
I  went  to  Washington  to  throw  my  hat  out  of  the  win- 
dow, and  not  attempt  to  evangelize  Congress,  for  it  was 
not  their  profession. 

Fifth  month  12.  Attended  the  funeral  of  Enos  Sharp- 
less,  father-in-law  of  my  brother  Thomas.  Many  Friends 
were  gathered  and  some  vocal  service  both  at  the  house 
and  ground.  There  was  an  individual  present  who  has 
lately  applied  to  our  religious  Society  to  be  received  into 
membership.  Her  husband  was  struck  by  lightning  and 
died  within  a  few  hours,  leaving  her  and  her  children  in 
limited  circumstances.  One  of  our  tracts  came  into  her 
hands,  which  she  read  with  deep  interest  and  communi- 
cating with  a  Friend,  he  procured  for  her  Barclay's 
Apology,  reading  which  her  understanding  seemed  to 
become  opened  in  reference  to  our  views  of  the  gospel 
ministry. 

Fourth  month  10.  Visiting  John  S.  Stokes  in  the  eve- 
ning, he  related  that  in  the  year  1826  Richard  Jordan  in 
the  Quarterly  Meeting  at  Haddonfield  spoke  in  a  pro- 
phetic manner,  describing  what  would  happen  to  our 
Society  in  that  place,  closing  with,  "If  these  things  are 
not  so,  the  Lord  hath  not  spoken  this  day  to  me."  Job 
Haines,  a  Friend  who  had  hitherto  traveled  with  Richard 
Jordan  and  been  in  close  unity  with  him  for  many  years, 
spoke  to  him  after  meeting,  stating  that  the  communica- 
tion had  been  very  painful  to  him.     Richard  Jordan  re- 


Age  36      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  73 

plied,  "I  am  not  sensible  that  I  have  said  any  more  or 
less  than  my  Master  bid  me."  R.  J.  did  not  live  to  see 
the  fulfillment  of  what  he  had  declared,  but  Job  Haines 
did,  and  vv^ould  relate  the  above  circumstance  with  tears, 
saying  he  had  learned  it  was  as  important  for  Elders  to 
mind  their  business  as  Ministers  theirs. 

Fourth  month.  Joseph  Scattergood  stated  in  our 
Monthly  Meeting  that  our  friend,  Joseph  S.  Elkinton, 
having  for  a  considerable  time  appeared  in  the  ministry, 
the  Preparative  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders  were 
united,  that  it  would  be  proper  for  the  case  to  claim  the 
attention  of  the  Monthly  Meeting;  that  if  it  believed  a 
gift  in  the  ministry  had  been  committed  to  him,  a  minute 
might  be  made  out  and  forwarded  to  the  Quarterly 
Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders.  The  Meeting  con- 
cluded to  forward  the  case  and  a  minute  was  accordingly 
made. 

Oh !  saith  my  spirit,  may  I  be  enabled  to  walk,  as  to 
bring  no  reproach  on  the  blessed  cause  of  Truth  and 
Righteousness,  and  should  Friends  deem  it  right  to  place 
me  in  a  station  of  such  responsibility,  may  the  Lord  be 
with  me,  guide  me,  and  direct  my  steps  according  to  his 
own  good  pleasure;  keep  me  from  falling,  build  me  up 
and  give  me  an  inheritance  among  those  that  are  sancti- 
fied in  Christ  Jesus.  But  oh,  the  awfulness  of  the  sacred 
office !  What  need  of  watchfulness  unto  prayer,  and 
taking  heed  to  the  steps  that  I  may  walk  in  and  out  with 
acceptance ! 


74  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1S66 

Seventh  month.  Father,  during  the  past  year,  has 
traveled  considerably,  sometimes  on  one  appointment  and 
sometimes  another.  He  and  Joseph  Scattergood,  in  the 
Third  month,  visited  the  Indians  on  Long  Island  belong- 
ing to  the  Shinecock  tribe.  They  gave  an  interesting 
report  of  their  situation,  found  them  well  clothed  and  a 
good  deal  of  thrift  among  them.  There  were  one  hun- 
dred and  forty-seven  men  when  all  were  at  home,  though 
some  were  out  on  the  whale  fishery. 

Again  in  company  with  Joseph  Scattergood  and  Samuel 
Morris,  father  lately  paid  a  visit  to  the  settlement  at 
Tunesassa,  under  the  care  of  Friends'  Indian  Commitee. 
One  object  of  their  visit  was  to  induce  the  Indians  to 
refuse  leasing  their  lands  to  the  whites,  which  of  late 
has  been  a  growing  evil.  Several  councils  were  held  to 
good  purpose,  some  of  the  old  chiefs,  in  a  feeling  manner, 
expressing  their  gratitude  for  the  continued  interest  in 
their  welfare. 

Eleventh  month  28.  In  our  Meeting  to-day  I  thought 
the  Divine  Presence  was  sweetly  felt,  and  it  seemed  to 
be  my  place  to  fall  upon  my  knees  with  the  language: 
"We  would  not  approach  Thee  with  unhallowed  lips,  but 
'thy  name  is  as  ointment  poured  forth,  therefore  do  we 
love  Thee ;'  "  and  then  asked  for  those  who  were  in 
suffering  and  who  by  cause  of  affliction  and  infirmity 
might  be  prevented  from  gathering  to  these  solemn  as- 
semblies, that  they  might  be  comforted  with  that  over 


Age  36      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  75 

which  disease,  affliction  and  infirmity  could  not  triumph ; 
that  those  who  were  neglecting  their  duties,  prizing  not 
their  privileges,  but  might  be  following  vanities,  forsaking 
their  own  mercies;  that  the  hearts  of  these  might  be 
touched  as  with  a  live  coal  from  off  the  holy  altar ;  that 
they  might  fear  the  name  of  the  Lord  and  know  His 
power  working  within  them  to  their  sanctification  and 
redemption.  And  those  who  were  spending  their  time, 
strength  and  substance  for  what  they  supposed  the  pro- 
motion of  the  cause,  yet  were  not  willing  to  go  into 
suffering  with  the  suffering  seed;  that  these  might  be 
met  as  in  a  narrow  place,  and  taught  that  we  are  nothing 
— Christ  is  all;  that  they  might  be  baptized  and  know 
more  of  a  being  washed  in  the  laver  of  regeneration ;  that 
their  crowns  might  be  laid  at  the  feet  of  Jesus,  and  they 
sit  down  and  wait  for  the  gracious  words  that  proceed 
out  of  his  mouth. 

That  the  children  might  be  blessed  and  all,  young  and 
old,  be  fed  with  food  convenient  for  us.  That  our  offer- 
ings might  be  made  in  righteousness  and  ascend  as  in- 
cense, for  Thou,  Father,  art  in  heaven  and  we  upon  the 
earth.  Thine  alone  is  the  power,  and  the  glory  and  the 
victory  and  the  majesty,  all  that  is  in  the  heaven  and  the 
earth,  is  thine.  Thine  is  the  kingdom  and  Thou  art  ex- 
alted God  over  all,  blessed  forever  be  thy  holy  worthy 
Name. 

First  month  2Q,  186"/.    Attended  the  funeral  of  Lind- 


76  JOSEPH   S.  ELKINTON  1867 

say  Nicholson,  and  at  the  grave  I  thought  it  right  to 
sound  the  language :  "Be  ye  also  ready,  for  in  such  an 
hour  as  ye  think  not  the  Son  of  Man  cometh."  The  old 
must  die  and  the  young  may  die ;  may  we  then,  one  and 
all,  have  our  accounts  so  prepared  that,  should  the  slender 
thread  of  life  be  severed,  they  might  be  given  up  with  joy 
and  not  with  grief ;  that  we  might  stand  with  acceptance 
before  the  judge  of  the  quick  and  the  dead,  and  that  we 
might  be  permitted  an  entrance  into  that  kingdom,  where 
nothing  impure  or  unholy  shall  ever  enter.  "Be  ye  also 
ready,  for  in  such  an  hour  as  ye  think  not,  the  Son  of 
Man  cometh." 

Ninth  month  4.  My  sister,  Sarah  Elkinton,  was  mar- 
ried to-day  to  Ephraim  Smith.  We  were  favored  with 
a  good  meeting.  Samuel  Cope  spoke  on  the  subject  of 
baptism,  bringing  forth  the  spiritual  view  of  it ;  how  that 
we  were  baptized  by  the  one  spirit  into  the  one  body. 
One  of  our  neighbors,  who  is  a  Baptist  deacon,  spoke  of 
the  discourse  being  particularly  satisfactory  to  him,  as 
he  believed  in  the  baptism  of  the  spirit.  Elizabeth  Evans 
enlarged  on  the  passage,  "Except  the  Lord  build  the 
house,  they  labor  in  vain  who  build  it."  After  S.  E.'s 
marriage,  myself  and  family  moved  into  my  father's 
house. 

Ninth  month  2.  In  a  meeting  at  Muncy  I  felt  myself 
called  upon  to  speak,  but  I  had  not  gone  far  before  the 
light  seemed  withdrawn  and  I  told  the  meeting  that  I 
had  felt  that  I  had  an  opening  and  the  word  of  command 


Age  37      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  77 

with  a  sense  of  the  Saviour  at  my  side,  but  the  feeling  of 
this  was  so  withdrawn  that  to  go  on  would  be  as  one 
seeking  to  draw  from  a  well  without  water,  or  as  a  cloud 
driven  by  a  tempest.  I  felt  for  a  time  as  if  I  would  be 
glad  for  the  floor  to  open  and  let  me  through,  but  after  a 
time  I  felt  the  spirit  of  supplication  to  cover  us,  and  1 
made  an  offering  in  that  line  which  afforded  relief. 

A  Friend  afterwards  told  me  that  some  time  previously 
a  minister  had  been  at  that  place  when  there  was  a  con- 
siderable number  of  those  not  members  present,  and  the 
minister  fared  very  much  as  I  had  done  and  after  a  few 
words  had  to  give  up.  Some  time  after  he  returned  and 
asked  for  an  appointed  meeting.  His  seemingly  foolish 
appearance  on  the  former  occasion  was  remembered,  and 
although  a  meeting  was  granted,  many  came  in  the  spirit 
of  curiosity,  thinking  he  could  not  preach ;  but  the  Master 
ordered  it  otherwise  and  so  helped  his  poor  servant  that 
many  were  astonished  and  Truth  honored  in  their  eyes. 

Eleventh  month  14.  Father  left  home  to  visit  the 
Indians  in  New  York  State.  I  had  doubts  of  his  strength 
being  sufficient  for  the  journey,  as  the  event  proved.  He 
first  went  to  Tunesassa,  and  then  to  the  Cornplanter 
Reservation.  The  road  being  rough,  it  hurt  him  to 
travel,  and  he  gave  up  the  further  prosecution  of  the 
journey. 

Eleventh  month  11.  Our  son  Thomas  was  born  this 
day. 

Eleventh  month  21.    Extract  from  a  letter  to  William 


78  JOSEPH  S.   ELKINTON  1868 

Scattergood :  In  reference  to  thy  closing  remarks,  will 
take  the  liberty  of  responding.  I  never  felt  the  liberty 
to  ask  for  our  children  more  than  an  ordinary  share  of 
intelligence,  but  if  the  Giver  of  every  good  and  perfect 
g4ft  will  give  them  of  his  unspeakable  gift  of  Divine 
grace  with  a  fair  share  of  intelligence,  gratitude  ought  to 
clothe  the  hearts  of  their  parents,  followed  by  a  righteous 
concern  to  seek  help  in  training  them  the  way  they  should 
go.  In  love, 

J.  S.  E. 

Tzvelfth  month  jo.  Extract  of  a  letter  from  William 
Bedell :  Thy  remembrance  of  me  is  precious.  Bear  me 
upon  thy  spirit  so  that  when  access  is  granted  thee  at  the 
footstool,  it  may  be  with  breathings  for  my  growth  and 
an  establishment  in  the  ever-blessed  and  unchangeable 
Truth,  and  should  service  be  called  for,  may  I  know  the 
necessary  preparation  and  then  stand  open  through  the 
Lord's  holy  help,  according  to  his  will.  Friends  of  the 
four  city  meetings  have  this  winter  agreed  to  hold  meet- 
ings in  the  Arch  Street  House  on  Fifth-day  evenings, 
some  of  which  have  been  truly  favored  meetings. 

In  love, 
J.  S.  E. 

First  month  2g,  1868.  Father  started  with  the  view  of 
attending  Greenwich  Monthly  Meeting,  to  be  held  next 
day  on  the  30th.  The  stage  from  Bridgeton  to  Green- 
wich was  full,  so  father  had  to  ride  on  the  front  seat,  and 
the  ride  was  so  cold  and  rough  that  he  arrived  at  our 


Age  38      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  79 

dear  friend  Clarkson  Sheppard's  in  a  pitiable  and  suffer- 
ing condition.  He  failed  in  getting  to  Monthly  Meeting 
next  day  as  he  intended,  but  spent  the  day  in  bed.  Our 
dear  friends  showed  him  every  consideration  and  kind- 
ness, and  the  following  day  (31st)  he  returned  home, 
suffering  very  much  that  night  and  for  some  days  after. 
He  bore  his  sufferings  with  great  fortitude,  not  allowing 
an  impatient  expression  to  pass  his  lips  and  frequently 
quoting  some  Scripture  passage.  At  one  time  when 
suffering  intense  pain,  he  repeated  the  lines : 

"When  o'er  thy  mercies,  O,  my  God ! 
My  rising  soul  surveys  ; 
Enraptured  with  the  view,  I'm  lost 
In  wonder,  love  and  praise." 

The  physicians  did  what  they  could  and  thought  for  a 
time  his  vital  energies  would  carry  him  through,  and  after 
he  was  in  measure  relieved  from  the  intense  suffering,  we 
still  clung  to  the  hope  that  he  might  again  be  raised  up, 
but  it  was  ordered  otherwise. 

Second  month  p.  Early  in  the  morning  father  said  he 
wanted  to  go  to  sleep.  The  last  words  he  uttered  when 
asked  how  he  felt,  were  "very  pleasant,"  but  when  the 
doctor  came  and  saw  him  about  9  o'clock  he  said  father 
would  not  wake  again,  and  so  it  proved,  and  he  passed 
away  about  5.15  in  the  afternoon.  Our  Baptist  neighbors 
were  in  their  meeting  for  worship  at  the  time  and,  hear- 
ing of  the  event,  engaged  in  prayer  for  the  family,  thus 
showing  their  good  feeling. 


80  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1868 

The  funeral  on  the  12th  was  a  large  one  and  character- 
ized by  a  deep  solemnity,  others  than  his  immediate 
family  feeling  they  had  lost  a  father. 

Copy  of  a  letter  to  Joseph  Scattergood  from  some 
Indians : 

Cold  Spring,  February  19,  1868. 
Joseph  Scattergood. 

Respected  Friend:  Your  letter  of  the  13th  inst.  is  re- 
ceived last  evening.  It  was  read  by  Harrison  Halftown 
at  the  meeting  at  the  Council  House,  announcing  the  sad 
and  afflicting  news  of  the  death  of  our  beloved  friend  and 
brother  Joseph  Elkinton. 

We  thought  it  was  due  us  to  express  our  sorrow,  the 
great  loss  we  had  met  with,  such  a  useful  and  valuable 
man.  We  also  are  well  aware  that  he  loved  the  Indians. 
It  is  true,  a  large  part  of  his  life  was  spent  in  endeavor- 
ing to  do  us  good,  and  giving  the  best  of  his  life  to  the 
education  of  our  people.  When  first  school  was  estab- 
lished upon  the  Indian  Settlement  by  our  friends,  the 
Quakers,  he,  first  one,  remained  among  us  for  many 
years,  and  devoted  his  abilities  and  his  power  to  the 
civilization  and  improvement  of  the  Indians.  We  are 
witnesses  how  earnestly  he  labored  in  order  to  induce 
us  to  be  good  men,  and  we  will  cherish  his  counsels  and 
try  to  remember  many  words  he  has  spoken  to  us,  and 
we  also  refresh  our  minds  by  his  memory.  But  little 
over  two  months  since  his  last  visit  amongst  us.    He  left 


Age  38      DIARY  AND   CORRESPONDENCE  81 

with  us  a  kind  and  wise  counsel  which  will  never  be  for- 
gotten. 

Signed  in  behalf  of  the  meeting, 

Harrison  Halftown, 
Owen  Blacksnake. 

Second  month  2^.  Extract  from  letter  to  Charles 
Rhoads : 

The  solemn  occasion  of  the  funeral  of  our  honored 
father  is  now  past.  May  that  which  made  our  father 
valiant  for  the  Truth  upon  the  earth  abound  in  us,  that 
we  also  may  know  the  Lord  for  ourselves  and  be  par- 
takers of  his  preserving  power. 

I  will  add  to  this  note  an  extract  from  a  book  of  memo- 
randa found  in  father's  desk  and  dated  Fourth  month  22, 
1827,  Tunesassa,  N.  Y. : 

What  a  great  advantage  there  is  in  being  faithful  to 
Divine  requirings,  not  only  to  the  individual  actually  en- 
gaged in  the  performance  of  required  service,  to  whom, 
after  having  been  favored  to  be  found  faithful,  sweet 
peace  and  quietness  is  the  result,  but  also  to  the  indi- 
viduals for  whom  the  service  is  intended. 

I  have  thought  of  the  subject  on  account  of  an  occur- 
rence that  took  place  this  morning.  I  was  reading  to  my 
friend  R.  S.,  and  I  felt  a  disposition  to  propose  our  going 
to  the  river.  It  was  acceded  to  by  R.  S.,  and  we  accord- 
ingly went  and  there  found  some  individuals  in  a  peculiar 
circumstance,  to  whom  we  gave  assistance. 

When  an  individual  has  been  sent  with  a  message  from 


82  JOSEPH   S.   EIvKINTON  1868 

the  Most  High,  there  will  be  an  individual  to  hear  or 
receive  that  message.  How  important  it  is  then  that  we 
endeavor  to  be  found  faithful  to  the  requirings  of  the 
Divine  Master  who  will  not  require  anything  of  us  but 
what  he  will  enable  us  to  perform. 

In  love,  farewell, 

J.  S.  E. 

Third  month  12.  After  father's  death,  being  somewhat 
run  down  in  health.  Dr.  Wallace  advised  me  to  take  a 
sea  voyage;  but  I  had  not  felt  easy  to  leave  home,  until 
one  morning,  on  awakening  the  words  passed  through 
my  mind,  "The  best  thing  thou  canst  do  for  thy  family 
is  to  put  thyself  in  condition  to  provide  for  it."  A  few 
hours  after  that  my  dear  friend  Joseph  Walton  came  to 
see  me,  saying  he  had  been  thinking  of  me  and  would 
advise  me  to  go  to  sea,  and  if  I  would  go  he  would  go 
with  me. 

Having  the  approval  of  my  family,  we  left  Philadel- 
phia that  evening  for  New  York,  where  next  day  we  took 
passage  on  the  steamer  San  Salvador  for  Savannah,  en 
route  to  Florida.  Arrived  in  Savannah  on  the  evening 
of  the  10th.  Next  morning  walked  through  the  market 
and  saw  fresh  shad,  and  early  vegetables,  a  great  con- 
trast to  the  streets  full  of  snow  and  ice  we  left  in  Phila- 
delphia a  few  days  before. 

Left  Savannah  in  the  Lizzie  Baker  for  Florida.  There 
was  one  woman  on  board  of  rather  low  character,  who 
several  times  read  selections  to  those  assembled  in  the 


Age  38      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  83 

cabin,  but  on  one  occasion,  what  she  read  seemed  so  licen- 
tious that  either  J.  W.  or  I  commented  upon  the  character 
of  the  readings  and  that  it  would  be  more  respectful  to 
the  company  to  have  better  reading.  Whereupon  I  was 
called  upon  to  produce  it  and  I  proposed  a  portion  of  the 
Scriptures.  She  declined  to  read  that  book,  but  Joseph 
Walton  read  it  to  the  apparent  satisfaction  of  the  com- 
pany. 

Third  month  14.  Had  a  grand  sight  of  the  breakers. 
The  mercury  was  about  86°  at  Jacksonville.  Arrived  at 
Glen  Cove,  having  enjoyed  the  balmy  air  sailing  down  the 
St.  John's  River.  The  hotel  was  crowded,  but  the  pro- 
prietor gave  us  his  own  room,  where  we  stayed  over 
night,  while  the  boat  went  farther  down  the  river.  We 
took  passage  on  its  return  in  the  morning.  On  arriving 
at  Savannah,  we  took  quarters  for  the  night,  and  during 
the  evening  J.  W.  and  I  visited  a  large  school  for  colored 
adults,  where  each  of  us  had  religious  service. 

We  visited  divers  places  of  interest  in  Savannah. 

Third  month  ij.  We  took  passage  on  the  Pilot  Boy 
for  Charleston  and  visited  several  places  of  interest, 
amongst  them  the  Orphan  Asylum,  and  we  went  to  see 
the  lot  belonging  to  Friends  under  the  care  of  our  Meet- 
ing for  Sufferings.  Some  live  oaks  near  Charleston 
have  a  grand  appearance,  covering  a  radius  of  seventy- 
five  feet  of  ground.  J.  W.  said  he  had  seen  a  grape  vine 
on  the  banks  of  the  Ohio  River  forty-two  inches  in  cir- 
cumference.   Left  Charleston  Third  month  20th,  and  on 


84  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1868 

our  way  north  saw  a  remarkable  deposit  of  shell  on  a 
high  bank,  which  much  interested  J.  W.,  as  also  meeting 
with  a  pupil  of  Agassiz,  and  they  two  spent  considerable 
time  talking  on  scientific  subjects.  We  arrived  home  on 
Third  month  24th. 

Fourth  month  2.  Extract  from  a  letter  to  Horatio  G. 
Cooper  by  J.  S.  E. : 

Dear  Friend:  I  hardly  supposed  it  necessary  to  write 
and  tell  our  friends  who  have  been  in  the  way  of  coming 
to  this  house  during  the  time  of  our  annual  Assembly 
that  we  wish  them  to  continue  so  to  do.  Surely  we  have 
the  more  need  of  the  strength  of  their  company  under  the 
present  dispensation,  deprived  as  we  are  of  the  counsel 
and  watchful  care  of  our  beloved  parents.  It  is  natural 
to  draw  a  little  nearer  to  those  we  feel  to  be  interested 
in  us,  and  whom  we  have  been  in  the  way  of  greeting 
with  pleasure  as  they  cross  our  threshold,  and  as  our 
Yearly  Meeting  draws  nigh  our  desire  is  they  may  still 
make  our  house  their  home. 

Thy  acceptable  letter  was  grateful  to  my  feelings. 
Thy  hope  that  we  may  live  so  near  the  Master  as  to  say 
He  doeth  all  things  well  implies  some  attainment  in  re- 
ligious experience;  yet  it  is  our  duty  to  strive  for  it, 
especially  when  we  consider  that  those  who  have  filled 
their  measure  of  service  and  of  suffering,  known  their 
sins  to  have  gone  beforehand,  are  in  adorable  mercy  ad- 
mitted into  the  rest  which  is  prepared  for  the  people  of 
God,  amongst  whom  we  would  ourselves  surely  wish  to 


Age  38     DIARY   AND    CORRESPONDENCE  85 

obtain  an  inheritance.  "Thy  will  be  done,"  John  Thorp 
says,  "is  the  highest  anthem  ever  sung  on  earth,"  and  it 
is  what  our  Saviour  taught  us  to  say  or  ask.  Our  dear 
young  friend,  Clarkson  Sheppard,  in  a  recent  letter  uses 
the  language,  "In  all  things  give  thanks,  for  this  is  the 
will  of  God  concerning  you."  So  it  would  seem  to  be 
our  highest  interest  to  learn  in  whatsoever  state  we  are 
to  be  content. — J.  S.  E. 

Fourth  month  8.  Our  meeting  was  held  in  silence,  but 
a  renewal  of  strength  was  experienced,  for  which  I  hope 
I  am  grateful. 

Fourth  month  24.  Being  on  the  Indian  Committee  of 
the  Yearly  Meeting  in  the  place  of  my  dear  father,  and 
that  committee  holding  a  meeting  at  the  close  of  the 
Yearly  Meeting,  I  was  named  on  a  sub-committee  that 
had  been  under  appointment  to  visit  the  different  tribes 
in  the  State  of  New  York,  on  which  service  my  dear 
father  and  Joseph  Scattergood  started  last  fall,  but  owing 
to  father's  indisposition  returned  home. 

Ebenezer  Worth,  Thomas  Wistar  and  myself  were 
added  to  the  committee.  Ebenezer  Worth  left  home  on 
the  27th,  and  spent  a  few  weeks  among  the  Indians  at 
Tunesassa,  industriously  laboring  amongst  them,  visiting 
in  their  families  and  helping  with  his  advice  and  counsel 
in  various  ways. 

Having  thought  I  had  seen  a  service  for  myself  among 
the  Indians  and  thinking  it  would  be  of  great  advantage 
to  be  under  E.  W.'s  fatherly  care  in  the  prosecution  of 


86  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1868 

it,  consulted  two  other  Friends  of  the  committee,  who 
encouraged  me  to  go  at  this  time. 

Fifth  month  5.  Left  home  for  Tunesassa.  Trains 
did  not  connect  at  Elmira,  so  had  to  wait  for  an  evening 
train  to  Salamanca.  Took  my  seat  beside  an  old  man, 
who,  on  my  offering  him  a  tract  to  read,  said  he  had 
taken  one  out  of  the  depot,  which  I  had  left  there.  "The 
Power  of  Divine  Grace" — and  which  he  wanted  to  take 
to  his  daughter,  who  he  said  was  the  only  one  out  of 
seven  children  that  had  not  religion.  He  had  read  the 
tract  and  seemed  much  impressed  by  it. 

Arrived  at  Salamanca  about  midnight,  and  next  morn- 
ing proceeded  to  Tunesassa,  where  I  arrived  in  time  for 
their  meeting.  About  twelve  or  thirteen  of  the  children 
were  present,  all  the  scholars  not  having  returned  since 
their  vacation.  They  have  been  slow  gathering  on  ac- 
count of  many  being  away  hunting  pigeons  near  Olean. 
The  squabs  not  being  quite  ready  to  leave  their  nests, 
great  numbers  of  them  were  taken  by  cutting  down  the 
trees.  The  squabs  were  mostly  sent  to  the  New  York 
market.  In  the  afternoon  Ebenezer  Worth  was  going  to 
Oldtown,  whereupon  I  joined  him,  and  we  visited  James 
Pierce,  who  was  at  home  with  two  nice-looking  children. 
James  is  a  preacher  among  the  Indians  and  seemed  like 
a  grave,  well-behaved  man.  We  visited  a  number  of 
families  residing  in  the  one  neighborhood  not  far  apart. 
The  Indians  were  all  very  glad  to  see  Ebenezer  Worth, 
particularly  the  older  ones,  some  of  whom  expressed  a 


Age  38      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  87 

good  feeling  for  father's  memory.  James  Pierce  had 
gone  to  school  to  him.  Returned  to  Tunesassa,  and  next 
morning  we  started  out  to  visit  Owen  Blacksnake,  who 
lives  near  the  bridge  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river. 
Owen  seemed  pleased  to  see  me,  said  he  remembered 
father  and  mother  having  a  child  with  them  when  they 
left  Tunesassa  in  1831.  We  had  a  pleasant  visit  at  his 
house  with  his  family.  His  son  Robert  had  recently 
married  a  nice-looking  young  woman,  who  had  been  a 
scholar  of  my  sister  Sarah's. 

We  then  went  on  our  way  to  visit  Isaac  Halftown, 
president  of  the  Seneca  nation,  in  whose  house  there 
seemed  to  be  a  number  of  women  and  children,  and  that 
evening  we  held  a  council.  When  coming  to  this  council 
I,  for  the  first  time,  saw  women  carrying  their  pappooses 
on  their  backs.  E.  W.  had  a  good  deal  to  say,  declaring 
his  love  for  them  and  desired  that  they  might  give  heed 
to  the  Good  Spirit,  after  which  I  also  relieved  my  mind. 

Isaac  Halftown,  the  president,  made  some  remarks, 
stating  that  the  Indians  were  trying  to  do  as  we  said; 
that  in  early  times  they  made  their  living  by  hunting,  but 
now  the  game  was  all  gone  and  they  had  to  get  their 
living  out  of  the  ground.  Formerly  there  was  but  one 
yoke  of  oxen  in  the  neighborhood,  but  now  there  were  a 
good  many.  In  the  evening  we  were  annoyed  by  a  man 
under  the  influence  of  liquor,  using  profane  language 
and  taking  unbecoming  freedom  with  E.  W.,  taking  his 
hat  off  from  him  and  talking  about  the  Quakers  and 


88  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1868 

trying  to  show  off  by  repeating  Scripture  texts,  but  being 
in  no  suitable  condition  to  address,  E.  W.  bore  his  im- 
pudence. 

The  next  morning  at  the  breakfast  table,  the  same  man 
being  very  profane,  I  felt  drawn  to  speak.  E.  W.  still 
felt  he  was  in  no  condition  for  it,  but  meeting  him  in 
the  stables,  I  addressed  him  on  the  subject  of  drink  and 
profanity  and  from  his  answer  thought  it  was  a  mistake, 
but  it  opened  the  way  for  E.  W.  to  speak  in  such  a  man- 
ner that  he  was  brought  to  tears  and  acknowledged  the 
evil  of  the  practice  and  said  he  was  obliged  to  us. 

Fifth  month  p.  Spent  the  remainder  of  the  day  visiting 
Indian  families  in  the  neighborhood  of  Salamanca.  At 
one  home,  John  Lewis  seemed  wonderfully  amused  at 
hearing  E.  W.  say  that  I  was  "Joseph  Elkinton's  boy," 
he  having  a  lively  recollection  of  father.  Returned  that 
night  to  the  school  at  Tunesassa,  after  making  arrange- 
ments for  a  meeting  at  Red  House  on  the  11th. 

Fifth  month  ii.  Started  out  for  the  meeting  at  Red 
House,  and  when  we  arrived  the  school  was  in  session. 
It  shocked  E.  W.  when  I  said  to  the  children  that  they 
might  go  home  and  tell  their  parents  that  Ebenezer 
Worth  was  there  and  would  meet  with  them  at  1  o'clock. 
E.  W.  exclaimed,  "Oh !  Joseph  !"  But  the  children  were 
off,  and  the  call  was  responded  to  by  a  large  number  of 
the  women  and  most  of  the  children  in  the  neighborhood, 
but  not  an  Indian  man  was  present,  they  being  off  hunting 
or  rafting.     Soon  after  we  gathered  together,  E.   W. 


Age  38      DIARY   AND  CORRESPONDENCE  89 

turned  to  me  and  said,  "Joseph,  if  thee  has  anything  to 
say,  say  on."  I  then  gave  expression  to  what  was  on 
my  mind,  and  afterward  E.  W.  spoke  to  them  in  a  very 
affecting  manner.  They  behaved  in  a  becoming  manner, 
and  I  have  been  in  many  larger  gatherings  where  there 
seemed  to  be  less  life,  the  baptizing  and  cementing  influ- 
ence being  sensibly  felt.  We  made  two  or  three  efforts 
to  close  the  meeting,  E.  W.  telling  the  company  that  we 
did  not  wish  to  hold  them  longer,  and  after  a  time  spoke 
again,  but  they  still  remained  seated,  and  it  was  not  until 
E.  W.  and  I  rose  and  slowly  walked  up  the  road  that  they 
gave  way  and  followed  us  and  clustered  around  us  in  a 
way  that  was  very  touching.  After  visiting  a  few  families 
we  returned  to  Tunesassa,  and  the  next  day  I  started 
homeward,  arriving  on  the  evening  of  the  13th  with  a 
pleasant  retrospect  of  the  trip. 

Sixth  month  i.     Letter  to  a  friend: 

Dear  :  Feeling  my  heart  clothed  with  a  feeling 

that  it  is  not  at  our  command,  although  I  so  lately  saw 
thee,  yet  whilst  I  feel  the  flowing  of  the  pure  gospel 
stream,  will  take  the  pen  to  communicate  that  which  has 
arisen,  hoping  that  it  may  touch  a  chord  in  thy  heart. 

And,  dear ,  this  is  what  I  want,  that  we  should  seek 

the  Lord  God  of  our  fathers,  that  He  may  be  found  of  us ; 
that  we  may  know  Him  for  ourselves,  serving  Him  with 
an  undivided  heart,  knowing  Jesus  Christ  to  be  our 
Saviour,  and  our  Deliverer,  our  Leader  and  our  Teacher, 
and   Guide   and   Director   in   that   high   and   holy   way 


90  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1868 

which  is  cast  for  the  ransomed  and  the  redeemed  of  the 
Lord  to  walk  in.  Do  not  let  us  be  spending  our  life  or 
feeding  on  the  failings  or  short-comings  of  others ;  no, 
not  any  one.  We  know  that  unless  we  are  under  the 
Divine  influence  ourselves  we  go  astray,  and  have  need 
of  that  mercy  that  the  dear  Saviour  breathed  forth  when 
he  was  asked,  "How  often  shall  my  brother  trespass 
against  me  and  I  forgive  him?  until  seven  times  seven?" 
Jesus  said,  "I  say  not  until  seven  times,  but  until  seventy 
times  seven."  If  we  feed  upon  the  faults  of  our  brethren 
there  is  danger  of  starving  ourselves.  Let  it  be  our  meat 
and  our  drink  to  do  the  will  of  our  Father  who  is  in 
heaven,  reverently  waiting  upon  Him  more  often  than 
the  returning  morning,  for  the  knowledge  of  his  will 
concerning  us,  for  the  renewal  of  our  strength. 

Desiring  thy  prosperity  in  every  way  and  that  we  may 
both  be  clothed  with  that  charity  that  is  described  by  the 
apostle.    Farewell,  in  sincerity. 

Thy  friend, 

Joseph  S.  Elkinton. 

Sixth  month  2^.  I  have  been  on  the  Grand  Jury  the 
past  four  weeks.  We  had  a  murder  case  on  hand  yester- 
day, in  which  I  did  not  feel  easy  to  take  any  part,  for 
which  I  was  censured.  Until  the  law  is  changed  that 
requires  sentence  of  death  on  those  committed  I  do  not 
want  anything  to  do  with  them.  I  cannot  answer  for 
other  men's  consciences,  but  will  try  to  keep  my  hands 
clear  from  the  shedding  of  blood.     We  visited,  in  our 


Age  38      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  91 

official  capacity,  the  Almshouse,  where  there  are  nearly 
three  thousand  inmates,  and  I  doubt  there  being  found  a 
similar  institution  in  better  order,  though  there  is  con- 
siderable room  for  improvement  in  some  respect  on 
account  of  being  too  much  crowded  in  some  of  the  de- 
partments, particularly  in  the  colored  nursery,  but  the 
rooms  generally  and  the  good  order  prevailing  were 
admirable ;  not  a  baby  cried,  not  a  child  indulged  in  rude 
behavior,  not  a  sick  person  complained,  and  only  a  few 
of  the  insane  boisterous.  There  were  about  six  hundred 
in  the  insane  department.  In  our  presentment  to  the 
Court  we  are  appealing  for  more  liberal  accommodations 
for  this  afflicted  class.  In  one  of  the  wards  was  an  old 
woman  reading  her  Bible,  and  as  we  approached  she 
addressed  us  in  such  a  way  that  made  our  company,  of 
about  twenty  in  number,  stand  around  with  great  respect, 
most  of  them  taking  off  their  hats.  Tears  were  shed  as 
the  good  old  woman  poured  forth  her  very  soul  in  praise 
and  gratitude  unto  the  Lord  for  his  blessings  and  mercies. 
Sixth  month  25.  Our  little  son  Thomas  having  been 
quite  sick  and  thinking  tKe  sea  air  would  be  beneficial, 
we  took  him  to  Atlantic  City  Sixth  month  25,  1868. 
However,  he  did  not  improve,  but  grew  steadily  worse, 
and  we  sent  for  a  consulting  physician  from  Philadelphia, 
who  came  down  and  stayed  all  night.  Our  little  boy  died 
the  First  of  Seventh  month,  aged  seven  months.  The 
funeral  was  held  in  Philadelphia,  at  my  brother  Thomas 


92  JOSEPH   S.   EI.KINTON  1868 

Elkinton's,  where  quite  a  company  of  Friends  showed 
their  sympathy  by  giving  us  their  presence. 

Letter  from  MaHnda  Elkinton  to  her  sister: 

Atlantic  City^  Seventh  month  14,  1868. 

My  dear  Sister  :  We  received  thy  sympathizing  letter. 
I  often  feel  there  is  much  consolation  in  thinking  of  the 
beloved  happy  state  where  my  angel  baby  now  is,  so 
safe  from  all  the  future  trials  and  temptations  that  would 
come  to  his  pathway  had  he  grown  to  manhood ;  yet 
nature's  feelings  must  keenly  feel  parting  with  such 
precious  little  ones,  the  mortal  body  is  dead  to  us  and 
tears  of  sorrow,  mingled,  I  trust,  with  calm  resignation, 
I  have  felt  to  be  allowable  when  I  remember  our  blessed 
Saviour  wept.  Just  one  week  from  the  time  we  came 
here  we  returned  with  the  little  lifeless  form ;  how  sad  we 
felt.  I  rejoice  his  sufferings  were  not  prolonged,  as  it 
pleased  Him  who  loaned  him,  to  recall  him  with  Him 
and  his  to  dwell.  Second-day  night,  Third-day  and  night 
he  was  very  sick,  his  countenance  changed  so  much:  he 
lay  quiet  for  two  hours  before  his  little  spirit  left  us, 
which  was  a  comfort.  How  lovely  he  looked  even  in 
death ;  he  was  a  darling  baby.  But  it  has  pleased  our 
merciful  and  all-wise  Creator  to  take  him  from  us,  and 
may  it  be  the  means  of  drawing  us  nearer  to  Him  that 
we  may  be  ready  to  join  the  loved  ones  that  have  gone 
before. 

With  much  love,  affectionately  thy  sister, 

M.  E. 


Age  38      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  93 

Eleventh  month  20.  Extract  from  a  letter  by  J.  S.  E. : 
I  accepted  thy  letter  as  a  little  evidence  of  that  secret 
invisible  fellow^ship,  which  is  known  to  exist  among  the 
living  members  of  the  family  of  Christ,  as  thy  mind  was 
towards  me  when  passing  through  a  great  dispensation, 
wherein  I  was  as  one  struck  dumb  with  astonishment,  in 
the  removal  by  death  of  a  beloved  father,  so  suddenly 
from  the  stage  of  action.  Thy  letter  was  dated  the  day 
of  his  death.  Since  then  we  have  parted  with  one  of  our 
little  ones.  Varied  are  the  dispensations  of  Divine  Provi- 
dence, who  giveth  and  taketh  away  at  his  pleasure.  But 
as  all  that  we  have  and  all  that  we  are,  are  of  Him, 
whether  it  be  health,  strength  or  life  itself ;  it  is  in  place 
to  strive  after  that  which  enables  us  to  say,  "Not  my  will, 
but  thine  be  done."  Our  dear  friend  Clarkson  Sheppard 
wrote  in  a  letter  to  me  soon  after  father's  death :  "In 
everything  give  thanks,  for  this  is  the  will  of  God  in 
Christ  Jesus  concerning  you."  An  attainment  surely,  and 
as  all  things  are  possible  unto  Him  with  whom  we  have 
to  do.  He  can  enable  us,  as  we  abide  in  Christ  Jesus,  to 
glorify  Him  even  in  tribulation. 
In  love, 

Joseph  S.  Elkinton. 
Third  month,  i86p.  Laid  before  the  Monthly  Meeting 
to-day  a  concern  to  visit  in  the  love  of  the  Gospel  a  few 
of  the  meetings  composing  Haddonfield  Quarterly  Meet- 
ing, and  appoint  some  public  meetings  within  its  limits. 
There  were  a  few  expressions  of  encouragement  given, 


94  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1869 

which  is  a  strength,  the  unity  of  Friends  being  precious. 

Fifth  month  p.  Attended  a  meeting  appointed  to  be 
held  among  the  colored  people  of  Snow  Hill.  As  I 
walked  up  to  the  platform  I  saw  a  person  sitting  there 
and  felt  that  man  means  us  no  good,  and  there  seemed 
a  cloud  over  the  assembly.  After  a  little  time  the  man 
rose  and  said,  "We  are  saved  by  practical  righteousness, 
as  Jesus  Christ  was  saved."  It  was  very  trying  to  me 
to  have  such  doctrine  put  before  the  people,  as  if  Jesus 
Christ,  through  whom  we  obtained  salvation,  needed 
anything.  I  arose  and  said,  "It  is  not  by  works  of  right- 
eousness which  we  have  done,  but  according  to  his  mercy 
He  saveth  us  by  the  washing  of  regeneration  and  renew- 
ing of  the  Holy  Ghost,  which  He  shed  on  us  abundantly 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Saviour."  The  man  made 
another  speech  which  I  felt  like  answering,  but  those  col- 
ored people  were  not  called  there  to  hear  a  controversy, 
and  I  hesitated  to  rise,  but  at  this  time  my  companion, 
Joseph  Snowdon,  came  out  Avith  a  noble  testimony  for 
the  Truth,  saying  he  could  not  let  that  opportunity  pass 
without  leaving  his  testimony  to  the  Divinity  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  and  when  he  finished  I  stood  up  and  went 
on  with  my  service  in  the  meeting. 

Fifth  month.  We  have  had  at  our  house  the  company 
of  two  English  Friends,  Daniel  Pickard  and  John  Sykes. 
I  have  become  much  attached  to  D.  P.  He  is  gentle  in 
his  manner,  an  unobtrusive,  good-spirited  Friend,  yet 
possessed  of  intellectual  ability  and  quickness  of  discern- 


Age  39      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  95 

ment.  He  has  spoken  briefly  and  weightily  in  several  of 
our  meetings  and  in  some  family  opportunities. 

Seventh  month  /j.  Received  a  telegram  informing  us 
of  the  death  of  sister  Rachel  Patterson,  who  has  been 
teaching  school  for  a  short  time  in  Iowa. 

She  contracted  measles  from  one  of  her  pupils.  The 
disease  ran  its  course  very  rapidly.  I  took  a  train  for 
Atlantic  City  to  carry  the  sad  intelligence  of  the  death  of 
our  dear  sister  Rachel  to  my  dear  wife,  at  that  time 
spending  a  few  weeks  at  the  shore.  I  had  set  my  heart 
on  sister  Rachel  as  having  gifts  and  graces  to  be  occupied 
in  the  Church  militant  for  a  much  longer  period  than  was 
vouchsafed.  Of  a  truth  the  impressive  sermon  is  preached 
in  her  death  that  "Here  we  have  no  continuing  city;"  and 
it  will  be  well  for  us,  one  and  all,  to  seek  that  which  is 
eternal. 

Extract  from  a  letter  by  J.  S.  E.,  dated  Twelfth 
month  6,  1869 : 

I  will  relate  a  beautiful  instance  of  silent  preaching: 
Our  late  beloved  friend,  Ellen  Cozens,  was  an  invalid 
and,  through  great  suffering  from  inflammatory  rheuma- 
tism, was  much  distorted  in  her  person,  yet  exceedingly 
cheerful  in  her  disposition.  She  had  a  little  school,  the 
children  collecting  around  her  chair  to  receive  instruction, 
both  spiritual  and  intellectual.  One  of  the  children  had 
an  aunt  with  a  very  irritable  temperament,  she  being  like- 
wise much  afflicted,  but  without  the  support  of  Divine 
Grace.     On  being  told  by  her  niece  how  the  Christian 


96  JOSEPH  S.   ELKINTON  1869 

virtues  shone  in  her  teacher  and  that  a  complaint  was 
never  heard  from  her  Hps,  the  aunt  was  so  astonished  at 
the  seeming  impossibility  that  it  led  to  serious  reflections 
and  a  sincere  seeking  for  that  over  which  afflictions  have 
no  power.  She  wrestled  not  in  vain,  for  the  Lord  an- 
swered her  and  she  became  a  changed  woman. 

Twelfth  month  20.  Left  home  on  a  business  trip  to 
New  York,  expecting  to  stop  off  at  New  Brunswick  to 
see  a  manufacturer  there,  but  as  the  train  stopped  at 
Trenton  a  voice  within  me  said,  "Get  off  and  go  to  meet- 
ing." Not  knowing  it  was  meeting  day  there,  I  felt  in- 
clined to  put  the  impression  aside,  but  it  was  too  strong, 
so  I  went  up  into  the  town  and  seeing  some  Friends  on 
their  way  to  meeting,  I  joined  them.  I  had  somewhat  to 
offer  on  the  passage,  "Blessed  are  the  pure  in  heart  for 
they  shall  see  God."  Taking  the  cars  about  3  P.  M.,  it 
was  rather  late  in  the  day  for  business  when  I  arrived  in 
New  Brunswick,  but  I  met  the  man  I  wanted  to  see  just 
returning  home  from  a  trip,  so  that  I  would  have  been 
unable  to  have  seen  him  earlier.  He  invited  me  to  his 
office  and  we  had  a  very  successful  interview.  I  con- 
sidered it  an  exemplification  of  the  Scripture  declaration 
that  "All  things  shall  work  for  good  to  them  who  love 
the  Lord." 

Fourth  month,  1870.  Extract  from  a  letter  to  M.  V. 
from  J.  S.  E.,  dated  Fourth  month  26,  1870: 

Yearly  Meeting  is  now  over,  and  I  trust  in  the  main 
was  held  to  the  honor  of  Truth.    We  issued  a  document 


Age  40      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  97 

bearing  testimony  against  that  spirit  so  rife  amongst  us, 
of  making  the  way  to  the  kingdom  so  easy,  without  the 
cross  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  who  did  indeed  bear  our 
sins,  and  died  for  us  that  we  might  live.  Yet  his  right- 
eousness will  not  be  imputed  unto  us  until  we  are  brought 
down  in  the  spirit  of  our  minds  and  are  willing  to  re- 
nounce the  life  we  may  have  in  this  world,  whether  it  be 
in  its  pleasures  or  its  treasures,  and  follow  the  Lamb 
which  is  slain  from  the  foundation  of  the  world  through 
sufferings,  baptisms  and  death  itself  (that  is,  of  the 
creaturely  part  in  us)  ere  we  can  be  raised  up  with  Him 
in  the  newness  of  life,  having  indeed  and  in  truth  known 
of  true  repentance. 

The  report  of  the  Indian  Committee  elicited  consider- 
able interest  in  the  Yearly  Meeting.  The  subordinate 
Meetings  are  recommended  to  raise  a  subscription  to 
increase  the  funds  at  the  disposal  of  the  Committee  for 
the  furtherance  of  the  concern  which  I  trust  will  be  re- 
sponded to.  (After  mentioning  some  who  were  afflicted, 
J.  S.  E.  writes)  :  A  vast  amount  of  suffering  in  this 
world !  Well  for  us  all  that  there  is  one  who,  in  all  our 
afflictions,  may  be  afflicted  with  us,  and  command  the 
angel  of  his  presence  for  our  support,  that  we  may,  if 
rightly  sought  after,  experience  that  over  which  affliction 
hath  no  power.  It  matters  not  whether  we  be  in  health 
or  in  sickness,  in  life  or  in  death,  so  that  we  are  in  our 
proper  places  and  whilst  in  the  body  the  Lord's  will  be 
wrought  in,  through  and  by  us,  as  it  most  surely  will  be 


98  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1870 

when  we  leave  the  body,  if  through  his  love  and  mercy 
and  power  and  our  co-operating  therewith,  our  peace  is 
made,  and  we  permitted  to  stand  with  acceptance  before 
the  judgment  seat  of  Christ  and  hear  the  welcome  lan- 
guage, "Thou  has  been  faithful  over  a  few  things,  enter 
thou  into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord,"  and  I  trust  a  foretaste  of 
this  shall  be  known  on  this  side  of  the  river,  for  surely 
the  song  of  the  ransomed  and  redeemed  is  to  be  learned 
in  this  state  of  being,  even  the  song  of  Moses  and  the 
Lamb.  "Great  and  marvelous  are  thy  works.  Lord  God 
Almighty;  just  and  true  are  all  thy  ways  Thou  King  of 
Saints."  Farewell,  thy  Cousin, 

J.  S.  E. 

Fifth  month  14.  Last  First-day  (8th)  an  almost,  if 
not  entirely  unprecedented  hailstorm  did  great  damage  in 
this  part  of  the  country,  to  the  injury  of  both  man  and 
beast  exposed  thereto.  Some  loss  of  life  and  a  vast 
amount  of  glass  broken,  in  addition  to  vegetation  being 
much  destroyed  in  places.  Hailstones  were  reported 
from  five  to  eleven  inches  in  circumference.  One  went 
through  our  parlor  window  with  a  force  that  drove  the 
glass  across  the  room. 

Taken  from  a  letter  written  by  J.  S.  E.,  Twelfth 
month  26,  1870: 

I  have  been  looking  over  a  letter,  written  to  me  by  my 
father  while  he  was  traveling  with  William  ""^-^ns  in 
Iowa,  from  which  I  will  copy  an  extract :  "Be  faithful, 
my  dear  son,  to  the  manifested  requisitions  of  the  good 


Age  40      DIARY   AND    CORRESPONDENCE  99 

spirit  concerning  thee,  and  all  other  things  will  then  work 
right.  I  believe  thou  hast  been  concerned  so  to  do,  and 
I  have  no  doubt  thou  hast  had  thy  reward  in  the  midst 
(as  it  were)  of  thy  anxieties  which  at  times  I  expect  thou 
hast  felt  not  a  few.  Go  on,  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with 
all  thy  heart,  with  all  thy  soul,  might  and  strength.  Let 
him  have  the  first  place  in  thy  heart,  and  all  things  will 
then  work  for  thy  good."  (Ninth  month  13,  1851.)  The 
memory  of  such  a  counsellor  is  indeed  precious ;  but  we 
cannot  always  have  them  to  lean  upon;  they  must  be 
allowed  to  pass  on  to  their  eternal  rest,  and  we,  following 
after,  must  endeavor  to  draw  our  supplies  from  the  in- 
exhaustible Fountain  of  which  they  partook,  and  if  hap- 
pily found  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord 
ourselves,  be  a  little  qualified  to  exert  an  influence  in 
that  direction  to  the  young  and  rising  generation,  whom 
to  see  rightly  brought  under  religious  exercise  would 
gladden  our  hearts  more  than  the  increase  of  corn,  wine 
or  oil.  And  as  the  Lord  hath  never  despised  the  wrest- 
lings for  his  blessings,  let  us  preserve  both  on  our  own 
accounts  and  those  near  and  dear  to  us. 
Farewell  in  love, 

Joseph  S.  Elkinton. 
First  month  22,  1871.  Went  with  my  friend,  William 
U.  Ditzler,  to  Middletown  Meeting,  which  he  attended 
in  the  course  of  a  religious  visit,  holding  public  meetings 
within  the  limits  of  Philadelphia  and  Concord  Quarterly 
Meetings.    In  the  morning  meeting,  I  had  rather  an  open 


100  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i87i 

time,  and  there  was  that  there  that  was  near  the  best  Hfe, 
both  in  the  older  and  middle-aged,  to  whom  the  language 
of  encouragement  was  held  forth,  and  an  invitation  given 
to  those  who  had  not  sufficiently  yielded  themselves  unto 
the  service  of  the  King  of  Kings,  that  they  might  yet  close 
in  with  the  offers  of  mercy  still  extended.  ...  At  the 
public  meeting  in  the  afternoon  the  house  was  pretty 
well  filled,  particularly  on  the  women's  side,  and  a  good 
degree  of  solemnity  overspread.  William  and  I  both  were 
engaged  in  testimony,  and  William  in  supplication.  The 
importance  of  presenting  our  bodies  as  living  sacrifices 
was  on  our  minds,  and  it  seemed  as  if  many  had  come 
together  with  their  hearts  too  little  prepared  to  offer 
acceptable  worship,  but  I  trust  Truth  was  in  dominion. 

In  the  evening  a  public  meeting  was  held  with  the 
colored  people  in  their  Meeting-house,  which  was  full. 
Much  counsel  seemed  to  flow,  William,  Thomas  Yarnall 
and  myself  all  endeavoring  to  relieve  our  minds.  The 
people  were  quiet  and  attentive. 

First  month  2j.  Our  Monthly  Meeting  to-day.  The 
first  meeting  was  a  favored  season.  After  the  answering 
of  the  queries,  Dr.  Charles  Evans  spoke  at  some  length 
and  in  an  emphatic  manner  on  the  importance  of  our 
individually  applying  the  queries  to  ourselves  that  we 
might  be  concerned  to  live  up  to  the  spirit  of  them. 

First  month  25.  Extract  from  a  letter  to  a  sister 
(about  to  be  married)  : 

A  true  union  in  the  marriage  covenant  is  an  unspeak- 


Age  41      DIARY  AND   CORRESPONDENCE  101 

able  blessing  where  there  is  one  heart  and  one  mind, 
they  twain  becoming  one  flesh  and  one  another's  joy 
and  rejoicing  in  Him  who  alone  can  form  a  true  union, 
qualifying  a  true  helpmeet,  giving  a  sympathy  of  interest 
and  feeling  in  those  things  which  pertain  to  our  highest 
interests.     .     .     . — J.  S.  E. 

Fourth  month  j.  Attended  the  Select  School  on  the 
boys'  side,  as  a  member  of  the  Committee  on  Religious 
Instruction.  The  Scripture  and  Catechism  lessons  were 
satisfactorily  recited,  and  I  requested  to  have  the  two 
schools  collected,  the  Primary  School  to  come  down  to 
the  others,  while  I  improved  an  opportunity  not  only  to 
express  the  comfort  I  felt  to  see  that  the  children  had 
done  their  part  so  well  in  committing  their  lessons  to 
memory,  but  also  to  express  the  desire  that  they  might 
seek  to  draw  nigh  unto  Him  of  whom  the  Scriptures  did 
so  abundantly  testify,  and  the  breathing  of  my  spirit  was 
that  they  might  come  up  in  a  knowledge  of  our  principles 
and  testimonies ;  and  I  enlarged  particularly  on  the  im- 
portance of  keeping  to  simplicity  and  truthfulness  in 
language  and  behavior  in  accordance  with  the  Scripture 
declaration,  "I  will  turn  to  the  people  a  pure  language." 

Third  month  10,  1871. 
Abram  and  Esther  Weeks, 

Dear  Friends:  The  religion  of  the  present  day  is  too 
much  that  of  education  and  tradition  without  enough  of 
those  heart  cleansings  and  baptisms,  and  conflicts  of 
spirit,  and  men  knowing  their  own  hearts  to  be  changed 


102  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i871 

before  they  tr}'  to  change  the  hearts  of  others.  I  think 
the  Journal  of  WilHam  Evans  gives  evidence  of  his 
preparation  for  the  ministry,  and  his  observations  on 
many  points  are  instructive,  and  I  have  taken  pleasure 
in  presenting  one  to  you,  trusting  it  may  prove  acceptable 
reading.  It  being  our  custom  to  gather  the  family  after 
tea  for  reading,  we  took  up  this  evening  the  observations 
concerning  Hannah  Gibbons,  which  are  so  in  accordance 
with  my  own  views  and  which  impressed  my  mind  on 
taking  up  the  pen  and  commenting  on  our  little  book  of 
sketches,  that  I  will  cut  out  the  article  and  enclose  it 
Some  tell  us  in  these  days  that  their  salvation  is  secure 
and  their  peace  surely  made,  that  if  at  any  time  the 
thread  of  their  life  were  cut,  they  are  assured  all  is  well, 
which  state  of  unwholesomeness  is,  in  my  apprehension, 
a  fearful  one.    .    .     . 

Last  Seventh-day  our  valued  friend,  Moses  Comfort, 
an  elder  of  Fallsington,  was  buried;  a  prince  in  Israel, 
one  who  surely  possessed  the  ornament  of  a  meek  and 
quiet  spirit,  as  well  as  the  spirit  of  discernment.  Would 
that  more  such  were  raised  up  as  watchmen  on  the  walls 
of  our  Zion,  Avho  though  it  might  be  in  secret,  would  still 
cry  unto  the  living  God  and  give  him  no  rest  until  Zion 
be  established  and  Jerusalem  made  the  praise  of  the 
whole  earth.  Samuel  Bettle  and  William  U.  Ditzler  are 
continuing  their  labors  in  the  towns  and  manufacturing 
districts.  Three  or  four  public  meetings  this  week,  and 
next  First-day  in  the  neighborhood  of  Wilmington.     If 


A-e4l      DIARY  AND   CORRESPONDENCE  103 

the  knowledge  of  the  Lord  is  but  increased  by  the  run- 
ning to  and  fro,  it  will  indeed  be  cause  of  rejoicing. 

J.  S.  E. 

Fourth  month  21.  After  an  hour  of  deep  inward  exer- 
cise in  Meeting,  I  stood  forth  and  held  up  to  view  the 
doctrine  that  we  were  reconciled  by  the  death  of  Christ, 
and  saved  by  his  life,  even  by  the  Living  Word  abiding 
in  us  and  giving  us  dominion  over  all  uncleanness,  even 
the  victory  over  ourselves  and  an  ability  to  serve  God 
aright. 

Ninth  month  20.  On  the  afternoon  of  the  18th  was 
held  a  meeting  of  the  Indian  Committee,  one  of  the  most 
interesting  I  have  attended.  An  able  written  report  was 
produced  of  the  visit  of  the  sub-committee  to  see  to  the 
division  of  the  Cornplanter  estate  among  his  heirs. 
Thomas  Wistar  said  there  had  been  nothing  in  his  inter- 
course with  the  Indians  during  the  past  forty  years  which 
afforded  so  much  satisfaction  as  the  accomplishment  of 
this  matter,  and  he  rejoiced  that  he  had  lived  to  see  it 
accomplished. 

The  following  is  abridged  from  an  account  of  an  inter- 
view with  a  clergyman  J.  S.  E.  met  on  the  cars,  traveling 
from  Trenton  to  Jersey  City  in  the  summer  or  fall  of 
1871: 

The  clergyman  first  addressed  J.  S.  E.  by  asking  what 
was  the  important  news  of  the  day.  J.  S.  E.  adverted 
to  the  fighting  going  on  between  the  German  and  French 
armies  and  that  it  was  calculated  to  sadden  the  heart  of 


104  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1871 

all  Christians  as  being  contrary  to  the  Christian  religion 
to  be  so  engaged  in  strife  and  violence.  When  the  query 
was  put  to  J.  S.  E.  whether  he  believed  the  time  would 
come  when  men  would  cease  to  resent  injuries  or  whether 
it  were  possible  for  man  to  attain  that  state,  J.  S.  E. 
responded  that  it  was  the  work  and  office  of  the  Gospel 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  to  bring  men  to  this,  and  it 
certainly  would  be  brought  about,  individually,  as  men 
yielded  to  the  influences  of  his  spirit  and  truth,  a  mani- 
festation of  which  was  given  to  all,  and  which  would,  in 
the  first  place,  take  away  the  occasion  of  all  wars  and 
fightings,  being  a  spirit  of  love  and  not  of  hatred,  and 
giving  no  offense.  The  clergyman  then  quoted  the  moral 
law,  the  law  of  Moses,  "an  eye  for  an  eye,''  "a  tooth  for 
a  tooth,"  and  also  the  command,  as  he  called  it,  that 
"Who  so  sheds  man's  blood,  by  man  shall  his  blood  be 
shed,"  which  latter  J.  S.  E.  said  he  would  accept  more  as 
a  prophecy  than  as  a  command,  and  which  we  saw  ever 
being  carried  out  by  those  who  took  the  sword  perishing 
by  the  sword,  but  to  carry  out  as  a  command  the  taking 
of  life  literally  would  soon  lead  into  an  absurdity,  as  the 
world  would  be  depopulated.  After  discoursing  some- 
what further  on  that  subject,  he  said  "we  have  one  sub- 
ject on  which  we  have  you  Quakers,  and  that  is  on  bap- 
tism, for  there  were  two  positive  commands  'Go  ye 
therefore  and  teach  all  nations,  baptizing  them  in  the 
name  of  the  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghost.'  "  J.  S.  E. 
replied  that  he  would  accept  that  as  a  command,  believing 


Age  41      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  105 

it  to  be  such;  but  as  the  Bible  did  not  say  baptize  witli 
water,  he  would  have  it  taken  as  it  did  say,  in  the  name  of 
the  Father,  Son,  etc.,  which  he  received  as  being  in  his 
spirit  and  power,  living  presence,  etc.,  into  which  all  must 
be  brought  themselves  before  they  can  ever  be  instru- 
mental in  bringing  others  into  it,  even  as  none  can  baptize 
with  water  without  first  going  into  that  element  them- 
selves." And  appealing  to  the  clergyman  by  way  of  illus- 
tration, he  said :  "Thou  are  going  to  New  York,  and  if 
thou  art  a  man  of  influence  thou  wilt  (it  may  be  insensi- 
bly to  thyself)  assuredly  bring  all  those  thou  art  in  contact 
with,  in  some  measure,  into  the  same  spirit  wherewith 
thou  thyself  art  actuated,  if  in  an  evil  spirit  thou  wilt 
influence  others  to  evil,  but  if  under  the  influence  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  thyself,  so  wilt  thou  baptize  others  by  thy 
example  and  conversation  into  the  same."  Some  remarks 
on  his  part  brought  forth  the  following:  "If  thou  hadst 
been  one  with  others  who  had  strayed  from  the  right 
path,  and  through  the  mercy  of  God  by  the  strivings  of 
his  spirit  brought  into  trouble  of  mind  therefor,  yea 
sorrow  of  soul  because  of  a  sense  of  thy  lost  and  un- 
done condition  with  something  of  a  sight  of  sins  being 
set  in  order,  and  under  this  condemnation  a  living  cry 
being  raised  for  a  Saviour,  and  this  being  as  from  the 
depths  of  the  soul,  and  the  Lord  in  his  mercy  giving  ear 
thereto  and  in  his  own  time  causing  the  Saviour  to  appear 
by  raising  up  a  little  hope  for  the  forgiveness  of  sins 
through  repentance,  and  when  in  answer  to  the  bleat- 


106  JOSEPH  S.   ELKINTON  1871 

ing  of  the  soul,  a  little  sense  of  this  forgiveness  being 
received,  what  then  did  we  care  for  anything  outward  or 
what  need  had  we  further  of  any  outward  ordinance? 
And  there  being  none,  let  us  bless  the  name  of  our 
Father  in  Heaven  and  be  clothed  more  with  a  spirit  of 
thankfulness  in  that  God  hath  sent  his  beloved  Son  into 
the  world  and  into  our  hearts." 

To  all  this  the  clergyman  said  he  believed  he  under- 
stood me,  though  he  did  not  see  with  me.  He  next 
brought  up  the  subject  of  the  ministry,  saying  "I  suppose 
from  the  ease  in  bringing  up  Scripture,  you  are  a  min- 
ister?" and,  querying  if  it  were  not  so,  J.  S.  E.  replied: 
"I  once  heard  of  a  Friend  being  asked  that  question,  and 
he  replied,  'a  very  small  one.'  "  He  then  said,  "Suppose 
you  wanted  to  hold  a  meeting  in  a  town,  would  you  not 
read  up  some  sermons  beforehand  as  being  thereby  the 
better  prepared  for  the  people?"  J.  S.  E.  responded :  "We 
had  best  look  at  the  motive  in  calling  the  people  together ; 
if  it  were  to  please  the  people,  then  w^e  might  perhaps 
study  up  how  to  do  it,  but  if  our  object  was  to  unite  with 
them  in  reverential  worship,  the  more  quiet  and  inward 
in  Spirit  and  emptied  of  all  thoughts  of  external  things, 
the  more  likely  would  we  be  to  get  into  a  communion  of 
Spirit,  and  if  the  Lord  wished  to  use  one  of  the  company 
through  whom  to  communicate  his  will  by  a  message,  He 
knowing  all  things  and  what  most  the  congregation  stood 
in  need  of,  could  in  accordance  therewith  fill  the  instru- 
ment and  commission  him  to  deliver  that  wherewith  he 


Age  41      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  107 

was  intrusted,  which  might  be  supposed  to  be  better  than 
any  other  gathered  material,  however  well  it  might  have 
been  adapted  to  another  occasion  or  company  when  pre- 
viously delivered,  even  supposing  it  to  have  been  author- 
ized." 

This  subject  being  thus  treated  on,  the  last  one  taken 
up  was  that  of  inter-marrying  with  other  religious  so- 
cieties, which  the  clergyman  introduced  by  saying,  "You 
disown  your  members  who  marry  out  of  your  Society:" 
to  which  I  replied,  "That  was  a  point  on  which  we  were 
judged  considerably  and  I  did  not  expect  to  satisfy  him 
about  it,  but  in  the  neighborhood  where  I  lived  it  was 
true  we  did  disown  them  if  we  failed  to  convince  their 
understanding  of  the  inconsistency  or  disadvantage  of  the 
thing,  but  in  other  neighborhoods  they  were  not  so  strict 
and  let  them  slip.  But  I  would  endeavor  to  give  him  a 
reason  for  our  actions  on  this  matter.  Believing  as  we 
did  that  our  mission  as  a  religious  Society  was  to  bear 
testimony  before  the  world  to  the  spirituality  of  the 
Gospel  dispensation  and  that  spiritual-mindedness  be- 
comes us  and  being  concerned  to  draw  into  an  inward 
waiting  state  and  frame  of  mind,  the  doctrines  of  the 
Gospel  would  be  opened  and  the  testimony  springing  from 
them  would  be  observed  in  the  life  and  liveliness  which 
would  be  very  much  hindered  by  being  connected  with  a 
companion  in  life  whose  faith  was  different  and  to  whom 
the  principles  of  the  everlasting  truth  had  not  been  thus 
made  clear,  and  that  as  it  was  designed  that  those  who 


108  JOSEPH   S.  ELKINTON  i87i 

married  were  to  be  one  in  spirit,  the  going  together  of 
those  of  different  faith  must  be  to  the  lowering  of  the 
standard,  and  the  children  of  such  would,  in  all  probabil- 
ity, be  brought  up,  some  with  the  father  and  some  with 
the  mother,  or  what  would  be  most  likely,  without  much 
regard  for  religion  or  respect  for  religious  characters, 
having  heard  so  much  criticism."  To  this  the  clergyman 
said,  "We  do  not  judge  you  so  much  as  you  think,  for  we 
see  the  disadvantage  of  these  things,''  and  he  wished 
they  would  make  a  rule  of  discipline  to  put  a  stop  to 
it.  As  this  was  unexpected  to  me,  I  thought  it  a  good 
stopping  place,  and  having  occupied  nearly  all  the  time 
in  passing  from  Trenton  to  Jersey  City,  conversing,  we 
brought  it  to  a  close. 


CHAPTER  IV. 
Special  Providences. 
Fourth  month  i8,  1872.  After  the  death  of  Wesley- 
Meeker,  an  employee  in  the  factory,  who  died  of  blood 
poisoning  resulting  from  getting  a  finger  crushed  in  the 
machinery,  I  had  all  the  men  in  the  factory  called  to- 
gether and  spoke  of  the  trial  it  was  to  me  that  one  of 
their  number,  whilst  assisting  me  in  obtaining  a  liveli- 
hood, should  lose  his  own  life.  I  expressed  a  desire  for 
them  to  give  heed  to  any  impressions  they  might  be 
favored  with  by  way  of  restraint,  which  if  attended  to 
might  be  a  means  of  preservation,  and  I  told  them  of  two 
circumstances  in  my  own  experience  as  illustrations  of 
what  I  meant  to  convey.  One  was  that  when  making 
for  a  train  to  Atlantic  City  one  summer  I  had  a  watch- 
word given  me  to  "take  the  next  train,"  which  I  did  not 
want  to  do,  as  it  might  prevent  me  from  getting  to  the 
shore  in  time  for  a  bath  in  the  surf  that  afternoon,  so 
walked  on  and  felt  the  watchword  again,  "take  the  next 
train,"  which  I  again  put  aside.  As  the  day  was  sultry 
in  the  city,  I  felt  anxious  to  get  to  the  shore,  but  on 
receiving  the  watchword  the  third  time,  "take  the  next 
train,"  I  gave  heed  and  did  so,  and  found  later  that  the 
previous  train  on  which  I  had  intended  to  have  gone,  had 
been  wrecked  a  little  beyond  Haddonfield.  After  it  left 
Camden  a  heavy  shower  came  on  and  washed  away  the 
foundation  of  the  bridge;  several  lives  were  lost  in  con- 

109 


110  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1872 

sequence  of  the  wreck.  I  also  stated  that  on  one  occasion 
I  was  standing  under  the  hatchway  in  the  Second  street 
factory  with  one  of  my  little  boys,  and  by  a  singular 
providence  was  impressed  to  leave  the  spot,  just  in  time 
to  avoid  being  crushed  by  a  considerable  amount  of  goods 
which  fell  through  the  hatchway  from  above. 

As  the  men  stood  around  me  I  was  drawn  to  engage 
in  prayer  on  our  behalf,  that  we  might  know  of  the 
preserving  power  and  in  mercy  be  favored  from  time  to 
time  with  the  monitions  of  the  Good  Spirit.  It  was  a 
solemn  occasion  and  one  that  I  trust  will  hold  a  place 
in  our  memories. 

At  the  grave  of  Wesley  Meeker  one  of  the  pall-bearers 
acted  as  chaplain,  and  I  thought  I  never  heard  anything 
spoken  at  the  graveside  with  more  feeling  than  he  ex- 
hibited, but  I  felt  that  death  was  very  near  to  some  one 
amongst  us  standing  there,  as  if  one  were  about  to  step 
into  the  grave,  and  I  was  afraid  to  express  my  thoughts 
lest  I  should  be  supposed  to  be  laboring  under  some 
aberration  of  mind.  I  told  my  wife  how  I  felt  on  my 
return  home,  and  in  the  course  of  ten  days  the  man  who 
read  the  funeral  services  died.  On  his  return  home  from 
the  funeral  of  Wesley  Meeker  he  said  to  his  wife  that 
he  would  never  go  out  of  his  house  again  alive,  which 
proved  to  be  the  case,  as  he  had  ruptured  a  blood-vessel, 
probably  from  the  strain  in  carrying  or  lifting  the  cofifin. 

Seventh  month  2.  Came  to  Stroudsburg  with  my  wife 
and  our  two  younger  boys. 


Age  42      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  111 

Seventh  month  5.  Occupied  some  of  my  time  reading 
in  my  father's  diary  of  some  of  his  exercises  at  the 
opening  of  the  school  at  Tunesassa,  which  was  begun 
with  a  very  small  number  and  increased  to  seventeen  or 
twenty  occasionally,  and  they  were  visited  by  Indian  men 
and  women  who  offered  such  advice  and  counsel  to  the 
children  as  tended  to  uphold  father's  hands.  Father  was 
often  brought  into  low  places  and  frequent  breathing  for 
help  and  ability  to  keep  the  mastery  over  himself  in  time 
of  trial,  and  often  was  he  put  to  the  test  by  the  perverse- 
ness  of  the  children  about  him,  but  his  memorandums 
show  that  he  was  concerned  to  draw  near  to  the  Fountain 
of  all  good,  whereby  he  was  strengthened  to  run  the  race 
set  before  him. 

Seventh  month  8.  I  left  Stroudsburg  wnth  our  son 
William  and  went  to  New  York,  passing  through  a  moun- 
tainous country.  The  weather  in  New  York  was  oppres- 
sively warm  and  difficult  to  endure.  We  took  the  steamer 
Franconia  for  Portland,  being  joined  by  J.  G.  H.  and 
his  brother. 

Seventh  month  10.  Arrived  at  Portland,  having  had  a 
smooth  passage.  Remained  in  the  vicinity  of  Portland 
about  five  days,  visiting  Gushing  Island,  North  Berwick 
Meeting,  etc. 

Seventh  month  15.  We  took  steamer  to  St.  Johns,  and 
on  the  seventeenth  left  St.  Johns  for  Halifax. 

St.  Johns,  Seventh  month  17,  1872. 

Dear   Brother:   We   stayed   at   Gushing   Island   till 


112  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1872 

Sixth-day  afternoon,  intending  to  sail  up  the  coast  as  far 
as  Mt.  Desert  that  night,  but  it  looked  so  dark  and  dismal 
and  threatening  a  heavy  storm,  we  drew  back,  thinking 
it  would  not  be  nice  to  be  driven  on  some  rocks,  or 
wrecked  on  some  island,  so  took  lodgings  at  a  hotel  until 
next  morning.  No  boat  going  or  coming  this  way  until 
Second-day  night,  we  went  over  to  Berwick  and  stayed 
at  William  Hill's,  where  we  were  entertained  with  great 
hospitality.  I  got  into  some  business ;  son  William  called 
it  visiting  families.  Sister  S.  has  knowingly  said  there 
is  no  telling  what  I  am  at  and  brother  T.  has  his  own 
notions  of  it.  We  came  on  here,  arriving  yesterday  morn- 
ing. Visited  the  soap  factory  of  the  place  where  they  say 
our  silicate  suits  them  better  than  any  other.  English  is 
sold  here.  W^e  are  now  started  for  Halifax,  where  we 
hope  to  arrive  this  evening. 

Affectionately,  thy  brother,  J.  S.  E. 
Seventh  month  24.  Embarked  on  the  steamer  Fal- 
mouth for  Portland,  and  heard  from  one  of  the  pas- 
sengers of  the  loss  of  the  steamer  New  England,  about 
fifteen  miles  from  Eastport  on  the  rocks,  day  before 
yesterday.  This  was  the  vessel  in  which  we  sailed  about 
a  week  previously  from  Portland  to  St.  Johns,  and  whilst 
passing  near  the  place  where  the  boat  afterward  struck, 
my  spirit  was  greatly  exercised  for  fear  of  disaster,  yet 
I  felt  a  secret  watchword  that  she  would  go  through 
safely  this  time.  A  great  amount  of  drinking  was  allowed 
on  board,  and  what  was  very  noticeable,  there  was  no 


Age  42      DIARY  AND   CORRESPONDENCE  113 

Bible  to  be  seen,  but  instead  were  books  of  a  pernicious 
character  lying  on  the  cabin  table,  such  as  were  calculated 
to  undermine  faith  in  the  Christian  religion. 

Seventh  month  26.  Came  from  Portland  to  Boston. 
Visited  the  State  House  and  had  a  view  of  Harvard  Col- 
lege. Left  Boston  and  came  by  way  of  Fall  River,  taking 
steamer  Bristol  for  New  York. 

Eighth  month  j/.  Seated  in  my  office  at  the  factory 
I  read  in  the  morning  paper  the  notice  of  the  funeral  of 
W.  P.  Walton,  to  be  buried  in  Friends'  old  burying 
ground  at  Darby,  and  it  took  a  strong  hold  on  my  mind 
so  that  it  was  not  easy  to  get  from  under  it.  I  felt 
restrained,  however,  from  going  to  the  residence,  so  went 
in  my  own  conveyance  to  the  grave,  where  I  awaited  the 
arrival  of  the  funeral  company.  I  was  engaged  at  the 
graveside  in  an  earnest  exhortation  to  the  import  that 
some  had  need  to  tremble  as  one  after  another  was  taken 
from  amongst  us  and  that  we  should  all  have  to  stand 
before  the  judgment  seat  of  Christ  to  give  account  of 
our  deeds.  I  pleaded  with  the  young  to  mind  the  day  of 
their  visitation.  After  the  opportunity,  a  religious  man 
among  the  Baptists  stepped  up  to  me  and  said,  "I  thank 
God  that  he  gave  you  courage  to  speak  as  you  did,  for  I 
know  it  was  appropriate."* 


♦Some  months  after  this  I   was   riding  in  the  cars   when  a 
notable  person,  who  was  at  that  funeral,  being  in  the  same  car, 

said  to  me:  "That  service  at  's   funeral  we  could  have 

borne  very  well  if  you  had  kept  that  Jesus  out  of  it."     I  replied 


114  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i872 

Ninth  month  3. 

Dear  Brother  and  Sister:  Although  my  AI.  has 
doubtless  in  her  letter  given  some  evidence  of  our  feel- 
ings of  sympathy  with  you  in  the  bereavement  for  your 
youngest,  yet  I  thought  I  would  add  a  little  and  respond 
to  the  remarks  in  one  of  your  letters  that  the  little  ones 
had  a  stronger  hold  than  we  knew  of  until  they  were 
taken  away.  It  is  indeed  like  parting  with  a  part  of  one's 
self.  Life's  journey  is  compassed  about  with  its  trials 
and  experiences.  One  thing  after  another  overtakes  us, 
doubtless  designed  to  deepen  us  and  drive  us  home  to 
that  which  is  immutable,  for  we  see  that  our  hold  on  all, 
or  any,  created  things,  however  dear,  is  but  at  the  pleasure 
of  the  Almighty  Creator,  Provider  and  Disposer,  whose 
we  are,  and  all  that  we  have,  who  giveth  and  taketh  at  his 
pleasure,  and  none  durst  say  to  Him,  "What  doest  thou  ?" 
If  there  is  any  one  gift  more  than  another  to  be  desired, 
it  seems  to  me  to  be  that  attainment  wherein  we  can  adopt 
the  sentiment  that  He  doeth  all  things  well,  and  in  every- 
thing give  thanks.    .    .    . 

There  is  one  consolation  respecting  the  little  ones  who 
may  be  taken  in  their  innocency  and  infancy — they  are 

that  Jesus  was  all  I  had  to  preach.  This  remark  accounted  for 
the  feeling  of  restraint  I  had  about  going  to  the  residence  of  the 
deceased,  where  I  believe  were  gathered  together  a  good  many 
learned  men  as  to  the  learning  of  this  world,  but  who  were  dis- 
believers in  the  Divinity  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  and  lacking 
that  knowledge  to  which  there  is  nothing  that  can  be  compared. 


Age  42      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  115 

spared  the  temptations  incident  to  a  lengthened  journey, 
and  consequently  their  parents  are  spared  the  anxieties 
lest  they  be  overcome  therewith.  Oh,  the  snares  and  the 
stratagems  that  beset  the  pathway  and  the  sufferings,  too, 
of  a  lengthened-out  course;  still,  for  the  watchful,  obe- 
dient children,  there  is  a  way  and  a  power  over  all. 

This  is  the  anniversary  of  our  wedding  day — sixteen 
years  since  your  sister  and  I  stood  side  by  side  in  the 
Meeting-house  on  the  hill  at  Somerton  and  entered  into 
the  marriage  covenant,  in  which  time  we  have  had  some 
exercises,  nevertheless  the  Divine  blessing  has  not  been 
withheld  and  thankfulness  I  trust,  does  cover  our  spirits 
under  a  sense  of  the  mercies  that  have  been  vouchsafed. 
Of  the  sixty-three  who  signed  the  marriage  certificate, 
fifteen  have  departed  this  life,  some  of  them  we  have 
good  reason  to  believe  with  a  well-grounded  hope  of  a 
glorious  immortality,  having  honestly  endeavored  to  serve 
their  generation  according  to  the  Divine  will.  Will  not 
He,  who  visited  them  with  the  day-spring  from  on  high; 
who  tendered  and  contrited  their  spirits  in  early  life ;  who 
humbled  them  and  brought  them  under  the  sanctifying  in- 
fluence of  his  grace ;  who  made  them  instruments  for  the 
promotion  of  his  cause ;  who  upheld  them,  supported 
them  and  enabled  them  to  lay  their  heads  in  peace,  be 
with  the  survivors?  Surely,  He  is  no  respecter  of  per- 
sons, and  those  who  submit  to  the  forming  and  fash- 
ioning hand  will  be  enabled  to  fill  up  their  measure  of 
service  and  sufferings  and  receive  the  welcome  greeting, 


116  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i872 

"Well  done,  good  and  faithful  servant,  enter  thou  into 
the  joy  of  thy  Lord." — J.  S.  E. 

Joseph  S.  Elkinton  was  drawn  as  a  juror  in  the  Quarter 
Sessions  Court  of  Philadelphia,  and  notified  to  appear 
Ninth  month  23,  1872. 

Having  previously  been  appointed  upon  an  important 
committee  of  his  religious  Society,  which  met  at  the  same 
hour,  he  requested  his  brother  Thomas  to  appear  for  him 
and  excuse  his  absence  for  a  few  hours. 

While  T.  E.  was  seated  in  court,  waiting  for  an  oppor- 
tunity, an  officer  of  the  court  requested  him  to  be  kind 
enough  to  remove  his  hat,  to  which  T.  E.  replied,  "1  am 
a  Friend,"  which  was  apparently  satisfactory,  as  the 
officer  said  no  more.  T.  E.  thought  the  matter  was  ended 
and  hearing  the  judge  speaking  to  him,  supposed  he  was 
ready  for  his  business,  and  stepped  to  the  bar  for  the 
purpose  of  explaining  his  errand  in  court,  but  found  to 
his  surprise  that  the  judge  was  speaking  about  his  hat. 
The  first  words  of  the  judge  were  not  heard  by  him,  but 
the  words  following  were :  "T  don't  care  what  the  excuse 
it,  it  is  not  respectful."  Either  just  before  the  judge 
spoke  or  simultaneously  T.  E.  repeated  to  another  officer 
at  the  bar,  "I  am  a  Friend."  When  the  judge  had  fin- 
ished, T.  E.  remained  standing  without  moving,  and  the 
officer  gently  removed  his  hat.  The  hat  being  now  in 
possession  of  the  court,  T.  E.  reflected  that  it  was  there 
by  their  own  action  without  any  connivance  of  his,  and  he 
then  sat  down.    At  a  suitable  time  afterward  the  excuse 


Age  42      DIARY   AND    CORRESPONDENCE  117 

of  J.  S.  E.'s  temporary  absence  was  given  and  was  satis- 
factory to  the  judge.  J.  S.  E.  appeared  about  12  o'clock 
and  reported  to  the  clerk,  but  the  court  was  about  to 
adjourn  and  he  was  thereby  released  for  the  day. 

Ninth  month  24.  J.  S.  E.  attended  court  about  the 
usual  time  without  knowing  what  had  transpired  con- 
cerning his  brother  the  previous  day.  Soon  after  the 
opening  of  the  court  an  officer  told  him  that  the  judge 
requested  him  to  take  off  his  hat,  to  which  request  he 
quietly  shook  his  head  in  the  negative,  and  the  officer 
turned  toward  the  judge,  when  J.  S.  E.  thought  it  would 
be  well  to  send  a  messenger  to  the  judge,  that  it  was  not 
out  of  disrespect  to  the  court,  with  further  explanation 
on  the  subject,  but  on  beginning  to  explain  the  officer 
referred  him  to  the  judge,  whom  J.  S.  E.  addressed, 
stating  that  it  was  not  out  of  disrespect  to  the  court,  but 
that  on  entering  a  place  of  worship  he  did  not  think  it 
necessary  to  take  off  his  hat,  he  did  not  see  why  he 
should  there;  to  which  the  judge  replied  that  "religious 
societies  were  not  to  come  there  to  set  up  their  conscien- 
tious scruples  and  that  if  he  did  not  take  off  his  hat,  it 
would  be  taken  off."  J.  S.  E.  said  he  was  aware  of  no 
law  that  required  him  to  take  off'  his  hat,  and  if  there 
was  he  could  not  do  it.  The  judge  then  said  he  knew 
enough  of  the  rules  of  propriety  and  that  men  were  to 
make  a  respectable  appearance  in  court.  J.  S.  E.,  feeling 
that  he  was  only  required  to  take  off  his  hat  in  time  of 
public  prayer  or  while  speaking  as  a  minister,  took  his 


118  JOSEPH   S.   EIvKINTON  1872 

seat  without  complying  with  the  request  of  the  judge,  and 
shortly  after  an  officer  came  and  removed  his  hat  and 
put  it  on  the  reporters'  desk,  to  which  J.  S.  E.  made  no 
resistance,  but  kept  his  seat  for  perhaps  an  hour  and  a 
half,  when  the  same  officer  came  to  him,  saying  that  the 
judge  excused  him  from  serving  as  a  juror,  whereupon 
he  retired  from  the  court. 

Ninth  month  21.  At  a  metting  of  the  Yearly  Meeting's 
Committee  we  were  covered  with  a  solemnity  under 
which  we  sat  a  considerable  time,  when  various  remarks 
were  made  regarding  the  weightiness  of  the  concern. 
None  of  the  sub-committee  could  say  they  had  finished 
the  service  assigned  them  and  were  continued.  Charles 
Evans  made  some  remarks  to  the  import  that  we  were 
just  beginning  to  get  the  harness  on  and  would  find  it  a 
weighty  service  ere  we  had  accomplished  the  object  of 
our  appointment  and  he  encouraged  Friends  to  move 
freely  around  among  the  meetings  and  obtain  knowledge 
of  their  conditions,  particularly  to  attend  the  Quarterly 
Meetings. 

Tenth  month  7.  Attended  the  Quarterly  Meeting's 
Committee  in  reference  to  the  situation  at  Arch  Street 
Meeting.  After  considerable  expression  of  sentiment,  it 
was  concluded  to  appoint  a  sub-committee  to  take  legal 
opinion  as  to  whether  any  of  the  trust  funds  belonging 
to  the  Monthly  Meeting  would  become  void  if  any  two 
of  the  meetings  were  joined  together,  it  being  a  prevail- 
ing feeling  that  it  would  most  conduce  to  the  best  in- 


Age  42      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  119 

terest  of  Society  for  the  Southern  District  Monthly  Meet- 
ing to  be  joined  to  Philadelphia  Monthly  Meeting,  since 
a  large  number  of  its  members  now  resided  within  the 
limits  of  that  meeting. 

Eleventh  month  13,  1872. 

Dear  Friend,  Clarkson  Sheppard:  Returning  home 
this  evening,  I  find  thy  acceptable  letter  proposing  week 
after  next  for  the  South  Delaware  trip,  which  would  suit 
me  as  well  as  any  time,  but  my  M.  does  not  like  the  idea 
of  my  being  away  from  the  last  Monthly  Meeting  of 
Friends  of  Philadelphia  for  the  Southern  District,  to  be 
held  on  the  27th  inst.,  and  as  it  is  likely  a  good  many 
tears  will  be  shed  on  that  occasion,  I  did  not  know  but 
that  I  would  want  to  be  there  too,  and  maybe  help  a  little 
at  that.  But  inasmuch  as  yesterday  I  expressed  my  satis- 
faction with  the  proposed  change  without  thinking  of  our 
Monthly  Meeting,  I  rather  think  I  will  not  break  ranks  if 
that  is  your  time ;  perhaps  I  might  say  something  I  would 
be  sorry  for  if  I  stayed  at  home. 

There  seems  to  be  an  improvement  in  the  condition  of 
the  horses  generally.  A  stable  not  far  from  here  reports 
seven  horses  dead,  valued  at  $2,700.  We  are  truly  in 
a  miserable  condition  about  getting  our  hauling  done. 
We  have  imported  a  yoke  of  oxen  and  a  countryman 
from  Delaware  County,  which,  with  Ephraim's*  super- 


*Ephraim  Smith  acted  most  wisely  and  successfully,  for  a 
period  of  forty  years,  as  superintendent  of  the  soap  and  chemical 
works  of  Joseph  S.  and  Thomas  Elkinton,  located  in  the  southern 


120  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1872 

intendence,  are  expected  to  do  something,  although  one 
of  our  little  boys  says,  "They  look  as  if  they  were  out  of 
their  element."  Our  street-car  traffic  is  generally  sus- 
pended, and  some  goods  are  pulled  about  the  street  by 
hand. 

Eleventh  month  2y.  Our  Monthly  Meeting  was  held 
at  Orange  street  for  the  last  time,  and  it  seemed  very 
like  a  funeral.  Samuel  Bettle  was  there  and  first  broke 
silence,  speaking  of  the  constraining  influence  of  the  love 
of  Christ.  Elizabeth  Allen  brought  up  the  conversation 
of  our  Saviour  with  the  two  disciples  as  they  walked  to 
Emmaus  after  the  resurrection.  In  the  second  meeting 
we  transacted  the  regular  business,  read  the  minute  of 
the  Quarterly  Meeting,  discontinuing  our  Monthly  Meet- 
ing and  directed  our  committees  to  keep  a  care  over  their 
respective  objects  until  Philadelphia  Alonthly  Meeting 
appointed  others  for  that  purpose. 

Charles  Evans  spoke  about  the  change  in  our  position, 
how  in  days  past  our  galleries  were  filled,  and  that  of 
the  power  being  the  same.  On  the  whole,  our  hearts 
were  very  sad.  The  concluding  minute  was  read  and  we 
parted  to  hold  no  more  Fourth-day  meetings.  The  con- 
clusion of  the  Quarterly  Meeting  was  that  the  Monthly 
Meeting  for  Friends  of  the  Southern  District  is  to  be 
joined  to  the  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends  of  Philadel- 

section  of  the  city.  During  this  time  there  was  no  suggestion  of 
a  strike  or  any  so-called  "labor"  trouble  between  the  concern  and 
its  employees. 


Age  42      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  121 

phia.  The  Arch  Street  Meeting  House  is  to  be  closed 
on  First-days  after  the  first  First-day  in  Twelfth  month, 
and  that  the  joint  meetings  assemble  on  First-days  in 
mornings  and  afternoons  at  Orange  Street  Meeting 
House  and  on  Fifth-days  at  Arch  Street. 

Twelfth  month.  Understood  from  those  who  attended 
Arch  Street  Meeting  that  in  the  second  meeting  after 
the  regular  business  was  transacted  the  minute  of  the 
Quarterly  Meeting  in  reference  to  the  union  of  the  two 
meetings  was  read.  Remarks  were  made  of  the  satis- 
faction felt  in  seeing  some  of  the  members  of  the  South- 
ern District  there,  and  they  desired  that  the  members  of 
that  meeting  would  take  their  usual  seats,  and  they  con- 
cluded to  adjourn  the  Monthly  Meeting  till  the  close  of 
the  meeting  for  worship  the  next  Fifth-day,  so  as  to  have 
the  co-operation  of  the  late  Southern  District  Meeting 
more  generally  and  have  committees  appointed  to  bring 
forward  the  names  for  officers  and  those  to  serve  on 
committees  for  the  Monthly  Meeting. 

Tzvelfth  month  5.  Attended  the  mid-week  meeting  at 
Arch  street,  the  first  held  since  the  union  of  the  two 
meetings.  In  the  second  meeting,  nominating  commit- 
tees were  appointed  to  bring  forward  names  for  Elder, 
for  Overseers,  for  Select  School  Committee,  for  Prop- 
erty Trustees,  etc.  The  committee  to  have  charge  of 
"Black  People  and  Their  Descendants,"  lately  under 
appointment  by  the  Southern  District,  was  continued,  and 
the  Committee  for  the  Poor  and  on  Interments,  and  some 


122  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1873 

other  services,  were  added  to  like  committees  now  under 
appointment. 

Third  month  12,  i8/S-  Last  week  our  Indian  Com- 
mittee was  suddenly  called  together  on  account  of  being 
informed  of  the  scheme  for  depriving  the  Seneca  Indians 
of  15,000  acres  of  land,  and  by  secret  work  with  Con- 
gressmen a  bill  was  actually  passed  by  the  Houses  of 
Congress,  but  Joseph  Scattergood  was  hurried,  by  a  tele- 
gram from  the  President,  down  to  Washington  with  our 
plea  for  the  President  to  withhold  his  signature.  He 
(J.  S.)  met  the  Cabinet  in  the  President's  room  in  the 
Capitol,  just  one  hour  before  the  inauguration,  and 
Joseph  Scattergood  pleaded  the  cause  of  the  Indian  so 
ably  that  the  President  withheld  his  signature,  to  the 
chagrin  of  some  of  the  Congressmen. 

Fifth  month  2p.  A  good  meeting.  I  returned  my 
minute  in  the  second  meeting  and  the  service,  into  which 
I  had  entered  in  visiting  families  and  members  of 
Stroudsburg,  and  the  appointed  meeting  with  the  colored 
people  afford  me  comfort  in  the  retrospect.  John  S. 
Comfort  was  a  true  helpmeet  in  this  engagement.  It 
was  decided  in  Monthly  Meeting  to  build  a  Meeting 
House  in  West  Philadelphia. 

Sixth  month  17.  To-day  I  attended  the  funeral  of 
David  Farrell,  who  lived  at  Ninth  and  Mifflin  streets, 
and  the  ground  on  which  our  works  are  located  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  street  was  a  part  of  his  farm.  The 
sale  of  his  ground  had  placed  him  in  easy  circumstances, 


Age  43      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  123 

but  he  continued  to  live  in  the  neighborhood  and  mani- 
fested much  interest  in  brother  Thomas  and  myself,  not 
unf  requently  coming  over  into  the  office  and  sitting  down 
for  a  little  pleasant  conversation.  At  one  time  he  pro- 
posed renting  me  his  house,  stable  and  a  yard,  in  which 
were  about  one  hundred  trees,  for  $300  a  year  if  I  would 
go  and  reside  there,  but  I  concluded  it  was  best  not  to 
take  my  family  down  there. 

Sixth  month  2^.  Removed  to  331  South  Fifth  street. 
We  had  during  the  past  week  been  moving  some  of  our 
goods,  but  could  not  finish  because  of  my  Malinda's  in- 
ability to  be  moved,  she  having  been  sick  the  past  week. 
Whilst  at  the  factory  about  11  A.  M.  I  felt  an  impression 
to  go  home  to  783  South  Second  street,  and  when  I  ar- 
rived there,  M.  told  me  she  thought  she  could  go,  so  I 
quickly  obtained  a  conveyance  and  had  her  taken  to  331 
South  Fifth  street,  which  was  soon  followed  by  having 
the  remainder  of  our  goods  brought  there  later. 

After  reaching  our  new  residence,  Malinda  seemed 
better  for  a  few  days,  but  soon  broke  down  again  in 
health  and  suffered  greatly;  but  by  the  Seventh  month 
recuperated  sufficiently  to  go  to  Isaac  Jones',  at  Consho- 
hocken,  to  board  during  the  Seventh  and  Eighth  months. 

Eighth  month  14.  Attended  Salem  Quarterly  Meeting, 
held  at  Woodbury.  Dined  at  William  Tatum's  and  had 
a  religious  opportunity  with  his  family,  a  young  man 
being  present  who  had  left  the  Roman  Catholics.  I  had 
been  particularly  impressed  to  go  to  this  place  to  dine, 


124  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1873 

and  learning  at  the  dinner  table  that  it  was  the  prospect 
for  Hannah  Tatum's  brother,  Davis  Leeds  and  another 
young  man,  to  start  off  for  the  shore  that  afternoon,  I 
felt  disappointed  and  said  to  Davis,  "I  came  to  see  thee, 
I  wish  thou  would  stay  at  home,"  and  then  rather  re- 
called it  by  adding,  "but  I  do  not  know  that  I  ought  to 
interfere  with  or  stop  your  plans."  As  they  started  after 
dinner,  I  stepped  up  to  the  carriage  and  simply  said, 
"Don't  get  drowned."  But  on  arriving  at  the  shore  they 
went  into  the  water  and  Davis  Leeds  was  drowned. 

From  a  letter  dated  Twelfth  month,  1873 :  When  out 
with  the  Yearly  Meeting's  Committee  our  friend  seems 
to  want  to  do  what  he  can  to  help  the  good  cause;  he 
assists  those  who  are  engaged  in  the  service,  distributes 
the  writings  of  Friends  with  an  interest,  and  I  hope  his 
almsdeeds  and  prayers  may  be  held  in  remembrance.  I 
was  glad  to  find  R.'s  mind  drawn  to  this  house,  and  we 
all  spent  the  evening  pleasantly  together.  R.  being  much 
of  a  lady  in  her  manners,  she  moved  easily  among  the 
children,  and  yet  she  was  very  plain  in  speaking  of  the 
full  surrender  and  the  way  of  the  cross.  I  was  glad  she 
could  do  it,  for  I  hardly  kneAv  how  to  say  much  about 
the  seamless  garment,  and  then  go  upstairs  to  bed  and 
sleep  under  silk  covers  stuffed  with  down. 

There  is  a  range  of  experience  in  traveling,  but  there 
was  a  great  contrast  between  this  house,  heated  all  over 
by  furnaces  and  furnished  luxuriously,  and  a  place  where 
Clarkson  Sheppard  and  I  lodged  a  year  ago,  where  one 


Age  43      DIARY  AND   CORRESPONDENCE  125 

cold  night  we  were  put  in  a  cold  room  that  looked  and 
felt  as  if  it  had  not  been  slept  in  for  a  year.  I  was  afraid 
to  ask  for  more  covers  for  fear  there  were  none,  and  so 
gathered  up  all  the  old  dresses  hanging  about  and  put 
out  coats  on  top,  making  the  best  of  things,  but  not  much 
sleep  came,  and  I  shook  until  within  an  hour  of  getting 
up  time,  with  a  rat  or  two  for  company,  which  kept  much 
of  the  time  on  my  side  of  the  bed.  C.  S.  had  his  amuse- 
ment at  my  management  of  the  case.  Now  I  will  go  back 
to  the  Meeting  at  Downingtown,  which,  if  we  did  not  see 
work,  it  is  because  we  are  such  little  children  we  do  not 
know  anything  of  what  work  is;  between  undertaking  to 
handle  the  subjects  of  Water  Baptism,  the  Sacraments, 
high  living,  settling  down  in  our  blessings,  etc.,  there  was 
one  tired  person,  if  not  more. 

Tzvelfth  month  28.  The  following  is  a  copy  of  the 
minute  granted  me  at  a  time  my  mind  was  exercised  on 
behalf  of  the  children  to  such  a  degree  that  I  believed  it 
right  to  open  a  concern  on  the  subject  before  our  Monthly 
Meeting,  and  having  held  a  meeting  at  Germantown, 
largely  attended  by  the  children;  also  one  at  Frankford, 
I  felt  relieved  in  the  performance  of  the  service.  Al- 
though not  an  extensive  concern,  yet  it  has  been  one  that 
has  brought  me  under  much  feeling,  as  I  would  much 
prefer,  if  I  could  choose  my  own  time,  leaving  such  meet- 
ings until  I  could  see  my  own  children  pass  the  slippery 
paths  of  youth.  But  that  I  may  not  live  to  see,  or  even 
so,  I  might  not  have  the  same  freshness  of  feeling  with 


126  JOSEPH   S.  ELKINTON  1873 

and  for  the  children  or  sympathy  with  them  in  the  pecu- 
liar temptations  incident  to  their  time  of  life. 

At  a  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends  of  Pliiladelphia  held 
Twelfth  month  28,  1873  : 

Our  beloved  friend  Joseph  S.  Elkinton  informed  this  Meeting 
of  a  prospect  he  had  of  apprehended  duty  to  appoint  one  or  more 
meetings  for  the  children  of  Friends  and  their  immediate  care- 
takers, residing  within  the  limits  of  Frankford  Monthly  Meeting. 
Upon  considering  the  subject,  this  meeting  liberates  him  to  attend 
thereto,  as  Truth  may  open  the  way,  he  being  a  minister  in  unity 
with  us.  A  copy  of  this  minute  is  directed  to  be  furnished  to 
him,  signed  on  our  behalf. 

Extracted  from  the  minutes. 

George  J.  Scattergood,  Clerk. 
Horatio  C  Wood, 

Correspondent. 

Third  month  s,  1874.  Made  an  arrangement  with 
Amelia  Leeds  for  the  occupancy  of  her  house  at  West- 
field  during  the  summer. 

Fourth  month  17.  The  Yearly  Meeting's  Committee 
met  this  afternoon  and  adopted  a  report  to  the  Yearly 
Meeting,  which  was  ably  drawn  up,  and  a  good  savor 
attended  the  reading  of  it.  It  contains  a  suggestion  for 
a  release,  and  a  comfortable  feeling  prevailed  as  we 
parted,  after  being  bound  together  in  a  service  which 
had  been  attended  with  a  good  deal  of  labor,  the  tendency 
of  which  had  been  to  bind  us  together. 

Twelfth  month.  I  have  for  years  past  felt  drawings 
in  my  mind  towards  Friends  in  the  northern  part  of  our 
Quarterly  Meeting,  and  for  some  months  past  believed 


Age  44      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  127 

it  would  be  right  for  me  to  hold  myself  open  to  visit  the 
members  of  Muncy  Monthly  Meeting,  should  way  be 
made  therefor.  Under  this  burden  I  have  been  bound  in 
spirit,  but  believing  that  my  peace  was  concerned  in  the 
matter,  I  laid  it  before  our  Monthly  Meeting  Twelfth 
month  24th,  which,  after  solid  deliberation  and  a  free 
expression  of  unity,  granted  me  a  minute.  The  expres- 
sion of  unity  was  a  strength  to  me. 


CHAPTER  \'. 
European  Trip. 

Fourth  month  12,  i8y^.  Our  Select  Preparative  Meet- 
ing was  held  this  morning. 

After  the  business  was  concluded,  I  informed  the 
meeting  that  my  wife  had  been,  for  two  or  three  years, 
advised  by  her  physician  to  take  a  sea  voyage,  which 
neither  she  nor  I  had  been  willing  to  undertake  until  this 
spring.  As  our  physician.  Dr.  Wallace,  had  taken  pas- 
sage on  a  steamer  for  England,  to  sail  on  the  26th  of 
next  month,  I  inclined  to  do  the  same,  believing  it  was 
my  place  to  do  what  I  could  for  the  restoration  of  my 
wife's  health,  and  I  had  the  refusal  of  a  room  in  the  same 
steamer  for  a  few  days,  but  was  unwilling  to  close  the 
agreement  until  I  had  given  the  members  of  that  meeting 
a  clear  understanding  of  my  purpose.  I  wished  to  know 
that  they  were  satisfied  therewith,  and  held  myself  open 
to  their  counsel,  if  they  had  anything  to  express  on  the 
subject. 

Charles  Evans  said  he  had  known  the  physical  con- 
dition of  my  wife,  and  could  readily  understand  my 
strong  desire  for  the  restoration  of  her  health,  and  as 
he  knew  of  no  other  suitable  means  that  had  not  been 
tried  for  her  recovery,  he  approved  of  the  proposed  plan 
being  undertaken.     Others  also  approved. 

Engaged  our  passage  on  the  steamer  Russia,  to  sail 
128 


Age  45      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  129 

on  the  26th,  which  was  afterward  changed  to  the  Scythia, 
to  sail  one  week  earlier. 

Fourth  month  /j.  Went  with  father  and  mother  Pat- 
terson to  North  Meeting.  Mother  Patterson  commenced 
with  "Every  one  shall  be  salted  with  fire,  and  every 
sacrifice  shall  be  salted  with  salt."  Enlarging  on  it,  she 
spoke  of  the  importance  of  our  remembering  that  our 
Saviour  said:  "Without  me  ye  can  do  nothing."  She 
spoke  with  earnestness  and  it  seemed  to  have  weight. 

Fifth  month  75.  At  our  Meeting  I  was  opened  in 
testimony  to  my  relief.  Brought  to  view  the  encourage- 
ment there  was  in  the  remembrance  that  when  Queen 
Esther  approached  the  presence  of  the  King  as  with  her 
life  in  her  hand  to  make  intercession  for  herself  and  her 
people,  the  king  reached  forth  his  sceptre  to  her  and 
heard  her  request,  and  I  had  craved  for  myself  and 
desired  for  others  that  we  might  be  preserved  in  and 
enabled  to  arrive  at  that  condition  of  mind  wherein  we 
might  approach  Him  at  whose  pleasure  we  stand  or  fall, 
to  pray  for  ourselves  and  one  for  another.  Whilst  on 
the  one  hand,  some  may  be  too  much  elated  or  settle  into 
an  idle  complacency,  there  is  danger  on  the  other  hand 
of  sinking  too  much  under  the  weight  of  those  things 
which  tend  to  press  down  the  spirit  and  keep  it  from 
endeavoring  to  rise  in  that  power  whereby  we  could  say 
to  the  mountain  of  difficulty,  "Be  thou  removed  and  be 
thou  cast  into  the  sea."  And  there  is  also  a  danger  in 
the  Church  of  not  only  depending  too  much  upon  one 


130  JOSEPH  S.   ELKINTON  1875 

another  for  the  performance  of  that  religious  exercise 
which  belongs  to  ourselves,  but  also  of  too  highly  esteem- 
ing one  another,  whether  it  be  by  despising  prophesyings 
or  that  secret  exercise  of  soul  in  which  those  who  were 
as  the  salt  of  the  earth  were  engaged.  But  there  was 
wanted  amongst  us  a  more  harmonious  and  united  crying 
unto  the  Lord,  who  w^ould  doubtless  be  pleased  to  hearken 
and  to  water  and  enlarge  his  heritage. 

Fifth  month  ig.  The  Scythia  is  a  new  vessel,  belong- 
ing to  the  Cunard  Line,  and  had  made  but  the  one 
voyage  from  England,  and  we  expected  to  be  on  her 
first  return  trip.  She  was  four  hundred  and  fifty-five 
feet  long  and  forty-two  or  forty-three  feet  wide. 

The  vessel  began  to  move  somewhat  after  the  appointed 
hour,  3  P.  M.  I  watched  those  on  shore  who  had  so 
kindly  countenanced  us,  so  long  as  they  could  be  dis- 
tinguished and  with  solemn  feelings,  considering  the 
uncertainty  of  life  and  yet  with  trustful  hope  in  the 
mercy  of  a  kind  providence  that  all  things  shall  be  made 
to  work  together  for  good. 

Fifth  month  26.  Saw  several  sails  to-day.  We  have 
traveled  nearly  one  thousand  miles  without  seeing  ter- 
ritory, to  give  us  a  sense  of  our  isolated  condition  upon 
the  mighty  waters  and  dependence  upon  the  mercy  of 
Him  who  ruleth  the  winds  and  the  waves.  Surely  those 
who  go  upon  the  seas  should  know  for  what  they  leave 
their  homes. 

We  have  spent  much  of  the  time  during  the  day  on 


Age  45      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  131 

deck,  but  rather  uncomfortable  nights,  my  Malinda  suf- 
fering much  with  her  back,  due  to  the  cramped  position 
in  her  berth.  We  have  enjoyed  reading  the  letters  from 
our  children  and  friends  given  us  to  be  read  at  sea. 

Fifth  month  28.  Morning  somewhat  hazy.  Land  was 
announced  at  8.30  A.  M.  by  the  sailors,  and  we  could 
soon  see  the  hills  of  Ireland.  It  is  cause  of  reverent 
thankfulness  and  gratitude  that  we  have  been  thus  far 
preserved  on  our  way,  no  serious  mishap  occurring  to  any 
on  board.  There  were  one  hundred  and  sixty  cabin 
passengers.  M.,  though  not  at  all  well,  got  on  deck  for 
a  time,  and  Susan  Wallace  had  been  much  amiss,  but 
came  on  deck  to-day.  We  felt  their  leaving  us,  opposite 
Queenstown,  which  they  did  about  3.30,  as  they  inclined 
to  travel  through  Ireland  before  going  to  England,  but 
we  thought  best  to  proceed  to  Liverpool. 

Fifth  month  2g.  The  sea  last  night  was  rougher  than 
it  had  been,  and  colder ;  had  not  a  very  good  night  as  to 
sleep,  but  the  prospect  of  making  port  before  another 
helped  to  bear  that  and  other  inconveniences. 

Malinda  was  hardly  well  enough  to  enjoy  the  scenery 
on  the  north  coast  of  Wales,  but  to  me  it  was  interesting. 
We  arrived  at  or  opposite  Liverpool  about  5  P.  M.  and, 
after  about  two  hours,  being  occupied  by  the  annoying 
process  of  the  Custom  House  officers,  we  were  trans- 
ferred to  a  small  ferryboat  to  be  landed.  I  was  afraid 
my  dear  M.'s  strength  would  give  out,  but  it  did  hold  out, 
through  favor,  for  the  needs  of  the  day.     We  took  a 


132  JOSEPH   S.   EI.KINTON  1875 

carriage  to  Washington  Hotel  on  Lime  street,  that  having 
been  recommended  by  Dr.  Wallace,  who  had  stopped 
there  a  few  years  before. 

The  docks  of  Liverpool  should  have  a  passing  note,  as 
the  tide  rises  and  falls  to  an  unusual  degree.  Enclosed 
docks  have  been  made  here  at  an  enormous  expense,  with 
gates  to  let  vessels  in  and  out  at  high  tide  and  enclose 
those  which  are  in  so  that  they  can  be  loaded  and  un- 
loaded without  delay.  The  side  of  the  dock  next  to  the 
sea  or  river  being  necessarily  very  thick,  much  business 
can  be  done  thereon. 

I  walked  out  after  tea  and  saw  the  fish  market,  which 
presented  a  lively  scene,  the  stands  being  attended  by 
women,  perhaps  two  hundred  of  them,  who  were  very 
vociferous  in  calling  out  their  prices  and  proclaiming 
their  quality  and  kind.  The  building,  probably  two  hun- 
dred feet  square,  was  well  crowded.  Many  kinds  of  fish 
were  new  to  me,  and  I  made  my  first  acquaintance  with 
the  shrimp,  which,  when  properly  prepared,  was  very 
palatable. 

Fifth  month  50.  First-day  I  attended  Hunter  Street 
Meeting,  where  I  was  met  at  the  door  by  George  Cook, 
who  introduced  me  to  Francis  Thompson,  a  minister ;  also 
to  Henry  Crossfield,  the  latter  having  visited  my  father's 
home  when  in  America  with  John  Hodgkin.  I  was 
treated  with  courtesy  and  invited  to  a  seat  beside  Francis 
Thompson,  which  I  declined,  not  being  on  a  religious 
visit,  and  took  my  seat  at  the  lower  end  of  the  ministers' 


Age  45      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  133 

gallery.  There  were  about  one  hundred  and  twenty 
present. 

The  afternoon  meeting  convened  at  6  o'clock,  and  held 
about  an  hour.  About  twenty  were  in  attendance.  Henry 
Crossfield  walked  with  me  from  the  Meeting  House, 
which  he  said  had  become  inconveniently  situated,  al- 
though when  built  it  was  thought  too  far  out  of  town ;  but 
the  city  had  increased  much  in  size  and  he  had  five  miles 
to  travel  out  to  his  home.  He  kindly  offered  to  assist 
me  in  promoting  the  object  of  my  visit. 

Fifth  month  ji.  I  had  a  pleasant  interview  with  H. 
Crossfield  in  his  office.  No.  8  Temple  Court,  and  he  gave 
me  a  letter  of  introduction  to  his  nephew,  Alfred  Cross- 
field,  of  the  St.  Helen's  Works,  also  to  the  manager  of 
the  works  of  A.  C.  Hunt. 

Sixth  month  i.  Hired  a  carriage  and  took  Malinda  a 
ride  through  the  Princess  Park,  and  then  through  a  con- 
siderable portion  of  the  Sefton  Park,  which  is  very 
beautiful. 

Sixth  month  4.  Left  Liverpool  for  Southport,  where 
we  took  quarters  at  the  Queen's  Hotel,  having  a  sitting 
room,  and  our  meals  served  there  to  ourselves.  This 
room  has  a  very  commanding  view  of  the  sea,  in  front, 
which,  at  the  highest  tide,  comes  within  eighty  feet  of 
the  house,  the  banks  being  protected  by  mason  work,  with 
an  excellent  promenade  and  carriage  road  for  some  dis- 
tance. At  low  tide  there  is  much  riding  upon  donkeys  by 
the  children,  and  not  a  few  grown  persons. 


134  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1875 

Sixth  month  7.  Called  on  Richard  Nicholson,  and 
found  him  very  kind  and  courteous.  He  entered  with 
good  heart  into  our  plans  and  encouraged  us  to  go  to 
Lake  Windemere  and  through  Scotland.  He  had  kindly 
invited  me  to  dine  with  him  the  previous  day,  which  I 
was  unable  to  accept.  Dr.  Richard  White  called  on  us. 
He  is  a  Scotchman,  and  favored  our  visiting  the  moun- 
tain districts. 

Sixth  month  8.  Visited  the  Aquarium  at  the  Winter 
Gardens,  where  is  the  most  wonderful  collection  of  living 
fish  and  sea  plants  that  I  had  ever  witnessed.  Took  a 
ride  with  Malinda  through  Birkdale,  the  road  being  of 
asphaltum  and  small  stones.  She  enjoyed  it,  not  only 
on  account  of  the  scenery,  but  also  for  the  ease  in  riding 
over  it. 

Sixth  month  p.  Foggy  morning,  so  the  appearance 
from  our  sitting  room  is  much  changed;  the  promenade 
is  deserted,  no  donkey  riding,  but  sundry  fishermen  cross- 
ing the  flats  with  their  nets  and  baskets  of  fish.  Josiah 
Thompson  and  wife,  also  John  Bacon,  called  on  us  after 
meeting. 

Sixth  month  11.  Left  Southport  for  Silverdale,  and 
were  met  on  arrival  by  Daniel  Pickard,  who  took  us  in 
his  carriage  to  his  home  and  were  made  welcome  by 
himself  and  family.  He  has  a  pleasantly  situated  man- 
sion with  two  or  three  acres  of  ground  handsomely  laid 
out  and  overlooking  Morecambe  Bay.  His  wife  is  affable 
and  sincere  in  her  manners,  and  they  have  four  precious 


Age  45     DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  135 

children — three  daughters  and  one  son.  (Note — They 
had  another  son,  born  after  our  visit,  named  for  me.) 

Sixth  month  ij.  Attended  Yealand  Meeting,  said  to 
be  one  of  the  oldest  of  our  Society  in  the  Kingdom. 
About  sixty  persons  present. 

Sixth  month  14.  Rainy  and  cold.  I  engaged  lodgings 
with  a  person  by  the  name  of  Mary  Newton,  in  the 
village  of  Silverdale,  where  we  will  probably  remove  on 
Fourth-day. 

Sixth  month  16.  This  morning  we  had  a  solid  and 
comfortable  opportunity  at  Daniel  Pickard's  before  part- 
ing, in  which  D.  P.  expressed  his  desire  for  the  Divine 
blessing  to  accompany  us,  and  that  so  much  of  the  object 
of  our  visit  might  be  obtained  as  was  consistent  with 
the  loving  kindness  of  our  heavenly  Father.  We  were 
brought  to  our  lodgings  about  noon  and  were  well  pleased 
with  the  situation.  Mary  Newton  very  agreeable  and 
disposed  to  get  us  anything  we  would  wish  that  is  prac- 
ticable. 

Sixth  month  16.  Went  with  Daniel  and  Lucy  Pickard 
to  Lancaster  Quarterly  Meeting.  This  Meeting  property 
is  one  of  the  oldest  in  England,  and  the  house  seemed  to 
have  been  constructed  and  laid  out  in  a  liberal  spirit  with 
its  conveniences  and  committee  rooms.  Having  time  be- 
fore meeting,  I  walked  up  to  the  Castle  and  part  way 
round  the  building,  the  tower  of  which  was  built  eight 
hundred  or  one  thousand  years  ago  by  John  of  Gaunt. 
In  this  tower  we  are  told  that  George  Fox  was  incarce- 


136  JOSEPH    S.    EI.KINTON  1875 

rated  for  eighteen  months  with  miserable  accommoda- 
tions. 

Sij^th  month  i8.  WilHam  Graham  and  wife  called  this 
morning.  They  live  at  Birmingham.  In  the  afternoon  I 
had  a  carriage  and,  with  Malinda,  rode  an  hour  or  two, 
then  round  by  Daniel  Pickard's,  where  we  took  tea,  in 
company  with  William  Graham  and  wife. 

Sixth  month  ip.  The  weather  to-day  seemed  like 
summer — the  first  we  have  been  able  to  do  without 
fire  in  this  neighborhood.  Hired  a  pony  and  basket 
phaeton  and  drove  past  Lindeth  Tower.  Passing  by  this 
place,  the  road  went  by  a  ledge  of  rocks,  where  the  sea 
beat  at  high  tide.  We  stopped  a  while  to  enjoy  the 
scenery.  Going  on,  the  road  descended  almost  to  the 
water's  edge  on  a  low  level  spot.  Here  Ave  found  the 
Pickard  children  enjoying  themselves  on  the  beach. 

Sixth  month  26.  We  were  called  on  this  morning  by 
Samuel  Moorehouse  and  wife,  from  Leeds.  In  the 
afternoon  the  two  youngest  Pickard  children  came  and 
remained  to  tea  with  us,  their  father  coming  for  them 
in  the  evening.  The  evening  was  light  enough  to  read 
the  Bible  out  in  the  open  air  at  ten  o'clock. 

Sixth  month  2g.  Thomas  Newton  and  I  went  to  Lan- 
caster and  made  an  attempt  to  look  into  the  castle,  but 
the  gate-keeper  was  not  disposed  to  let  us  in  at  the 
front.  The  entrance  into  the  court  being  open,  and  those 
in  charge  of  the  door  being  quite  free,  we  went  in  far 
enough  to  see  where  the  courts  were  held  and  got  a 


Age  45      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  137 

general  idea  of  the  plan  of  the  building,  which  is  de- 
scribed in  a  little  book,  afterward  purchased,  entitled, 
"Guide  to  Lancaster."  From  the  castle  we  walked  to 
the  Lunatic  Asylum  for  the  Poor,  containing  over  one 
thousand  patients,  apparently  well  provided  for  and  with 
extensive  grounds  around  the  building.  One  desirable 
adjunct  to  this  establishment  is  the  workshops  for  those 
who  are  inclined  to  work,  shoemaking,  joinering,  rug 
making  and  several  other  mechanical  pursuits  being  car- 
ried on.     We  returned  to  Silverdale  about  6.30  P.  M. 

Seventh  month  i.  My  Malinda  having  a  strong  desire 
to  see  Swarthmore  Meeting  House  and  Hall,  we  left  this 
morning  and  traveled  as  far  as  Furness  Abby  and  re- 
viewed the  ruins  there,  probably  in  its  time  the  seat  of 
much  despotic  power,  but  as  a  specimen  of  ancient 
architecture  certainly  grand.  From  there  we  went  to 
Swarthmore,  where  I  left  my  Malinda  and  Eliza  Pickard, 
who  had  accompanied  us,  while  I  went  to  find  our  friend, 
J.  M.  Chapman,  that  he  might  pilot  us.  I  found  him  at 
his  home  on  Sun  street,  very  willing  to  spend  a  little 
time  with  us;  we  accordingly  took  the  carriage,  calling 
for  Malinda  and  Eliza  Pickard  at  the  railroad  depot,  and 
proceeded  to  the  Meeting  House,  which  appeared  to  be 
a  great  satisfaction  to  my  M.  She  held  the  Bible  given 
by  George  Fox,  and  printed  in  1541,  on  her  lap  and 
began  two  or  three  letters  to  her  loved  ones  at  home. 
(1688  was  over  the  door  of  the  house.)  From  thence 
we  went  to  Swarthmore  Hall,  where  our  aged  friend, 


138  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i875 

John  Chapman,  very  kindly  showed  us  around  and  re- 
lated many  things  of  historical  interest.  J.  M.  Chapman 
said  for  a  number  of  years  he  was  the  only  man  member 
of  Swarthmore  Meeting,  but  that  recently  it  had  in- 
crease, and  on  First-days  there  were  generally  forty 
persons  present. 

In  Swarthmore  Hall  we  were  shown  the  position  in  a 
bay  window  where  George  Fox  and  his  wife  were  seated 
in  times  of  meetings,  also  the  room  where  Judge  Fell 
transacted  his  official  business.  The  rooms  in  the  second 
story  were  wainscoted  and  communicating.  There  was 
a  little  recess  between  them,  in  the  back  part  of  which 
was  a  small  fireproof.  In  the  wall  out  of  the  recess  was 
a  doorway  opening  out  on  a  balcony,  taken  down  in 
J.  M.  C.'s  memory  because  of  decay.  From  this  balcony 
we  were  told  G.  F.  used  to  preach  to  the  people  in  the 
orchard  below.  The  out-buildings  were  large.  It  was 
said  Judge  Fell  kept  one  hundred  horses.  There  had 
evidently  been  a  large  out-kitchen  at  one  time,  the  fire- 
place of  which  appeared  to  be  about  five  feet  deep  and 
twelve  feet  wide,  but  now  used  for  a  stable !  The  sum- 
ming of  it  all  comes  to  this — that  all  these  things  perish 
with  the  using;  they  all  vanish,  but  the  Lord  alone  re- 
maineth,  and  our  hearts  are  not  to  be  set  upon  created 
things,  but  upon  the  Lord,  who  showeth  mercy.  Returned 
in  the  train  leaving  Ulverston  at  6  P.  M.  Malinda  stood 
the  trip  very  well.  We  had  a  remarkably  fine  day  for 
the  excursion. 


Age  45      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  139 

Seventh  month  j.  In  the  evening  took  a  new  walk 
with  Daniel  Pickard,  on  the  crags  and  along  the  edge  of 
a  field  of  oats,  and  one  of  barley  on  the  other  side  of  the 
stone  wall.  The  harvest  is,  as  near  as  I  can  learn,  one 
month  later  than  in  America.  Strawberries  are  now 
about  at  their  best  and  of  a  very  large  size;  had  some 
handed  this  evening  weighing  a  quarter  of  an  ounce  each. 

Seventh  month  5.  Went  up  to  Liverpool  on  business 
and  had  a  sight  of  the  Sultan  of  Zanzibar.  He  was 
dressed  in  Turkish  costume  and  is  said  to  be  a  Moham- 
medan; is  now  on  a  visit  to  England,  and  they  say  he  is 
well  pleased  with  his  reception  and  intends  to  use  his 
influence  on  his  return  for  the  suppression  of  slavery  in 
his  dominion.  The  British  minister  to  Zanzibar  inter- 
preted for  him.     Returned  to  Silverdale  on  the  sixth. 

Seventh  month  J.  Left  Silverdale  at  10  A.  M.,  Eliza 
Pickard  accompanying  us,  and  took  train  for  Lake 
Shore,  arriving  at  11.45,  having  changed  cars  at  Ulver- 
ston.  Lake  Shore  is  the  south  end  of  Lake  Windemere, 
whereon  we  embarked  on  a  small  steamer.  The  weather 
was  the  warmest  of  the  season,  but  with  the  boat  in 
motion  there  was  a  comfortable  breeze.  The  scenery  was 
truly  beautiful,  to  which  I  cannot  do  justice,  but  must 
refer  to  the  description  given  in  books  of  better  writers. 
Arrived  at  Bowness  12.20,  which  appeared  to  be  a  place 
of  some  note.  We  hired  a  conveyance  and  proceeded  to 
Ambleside  and  up  a  steep  mountainous  road  to  Gale 
Mountain  House,  which  we  found  full.     \\"ere  recom- 


140  JOSEPH   S.   EIvKINTON  1875 

mended  to  go  next  door,  where  Sara  Wilson  furnished 
us  with  two  lodging  rooms  and  a  sitting  room.  The 
views  from  our  lodgings  are  magnificent — mountains  all 
around  us.  In  the  afternoon  Eliza  Pickard  and  I  walked 
to  the  town  of  Ambleside,  which  is  an  elevated  basin,  but 
probably  one  hundred  feet  lower  than  our  lodgings. 

Seventh  month  8.  Took  a  long  ride  in  a  phaeton  for 
nearly  three  hours;  passed  through  the  town  of  Amble- 
side, by  the  residence  of  the  poet  Wordsworth — Nab 
Scar — from  the  top  of  which  eight  lakes  can  be  seen  and 
a  great  many  mountains.  Saw  Rydal  Mount,  also  the 
rock  where  Wordsworth  was  wont  to  sit  and  write, 
which  is  a  curiosity.  We  passed  the  Prince  of  Wales 
Hotel,  near  Grassmere;  through  the  village  of  Grass- 
mere,  which  is  the  burial  place  of  Wordsworth  and 
family;  around  the  head  of  Grassmere  Lake,  on  around 
the  road  and  up  an  exceedingly  steep  place,  where  we  all 
had  to  get  out  and  walk.  We  were  shown  the  house 
where  Walter  Scott  wrote  Helvellyn.  On  the  route  back 
the  scenery  was  also  very  fine.  In  the  evening  our  atten- 
tion was  arrested,  first  by  the  noise,  then  by  the  sight 
of  a  great  flock  of  rooks,  whose  peculiar  squawking  was 
rather  disturbing  to  our  sleep  during  the  night. 

Seventh  month  p.  In  the  evening  Eliza  Pickard  and  I 
ascended  Laughing  Fell,  opposite;  and  from  the  top  we 
had  such  a  view  as  I  never  saw  before — it  was  grand, 
beautiful !  The  path  up  was  pretty  good,  but  steep  over 
the  clififs  and  rocks ;  but  we  experienced  much  more  diffi- 


Age  45      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  141 

culty  coming  down,  having  endeavored  to  find  a  new 
path  that  would  avoid  the  climbing  of  two  fences  of 
stone,  but  we  got  into  a  boggy  marsh  and  finally  were 
glad  enough  to  come  across  our  old  path. 

Seventh  month  lo.  We  rode  to  Windemere  and,  after 
resting  at  the  hotel  there  and  taking  lunch,  we  took  the 
train  for  Kendal.  There  we  took  a  carriage  and  had  a 
drive  through  the  city  and  around  the  outskirts  thereof 
and  on  the  hill  overlooking  it.  The  air  was  salubrious. 
We  took  the  3.30  train  from  there  for  Carnforth,  where 
we  made  connections  for  Silverdale,  where  we  were  met 
by  Daniel  Pickard. 

Seventh  month  I2.  Received  letters  from  our  children 
and  some  of  our  friends,  welcome  and  interesting  news 
from  home. 

I  left  Silverdale  this  morning  for  New  Castle  for  busi- 
ness purposes.  After  several  detentions,  arrived  at  New 
Castle  at  9.30  P.  M.  The  depot  here  is  a  magnificent  one ; 
a  hotel  is  attached  to  it,  and  I  took  lodgings  there.  The 
approach  to  New  Castle  appeared  like  a  vast  manufactur- 
ing district. 

Seventh  month  /j.  I  walked  through  the  cattle  market; 
the  shepherd  dogs  were  of  great  interest,  especially  their 
skill  in  managing  the  droves  through  the  streets.  I  visited 
the  old  castle,  and  was  kindly  shown  about  by  the  keeper 
of  the  library,  in  the  lower  room  of  which  were  many 
antiquities ;  the  main  room,  perhaps  forty  feet  high,  also 
contained  a  number. 


142  JOSEPH  S.   ELKINTON  i875 

Left  New  Castle  for  Darlington,  expecting  to  lodge 
there. 

Seventh  month  14.  Returned  to  Silverdale,  finding  my 
M.  well,  except  a  sty  on  her  eye. 

Seventh  month  18.  Went  to  Yealand  Meeting  with 
Daniel  Pickard  and  wife  and  daughter  Eliza.  Eliza 
Pickard  dined  with  us,  and  the  small  children  came  over 
in  the  afternoon,  and  their  father  and  mother  in  the  eve- 
ning, to  bid  us  farewell,  as  we  purpose  leaving  this  place 
in  the  morning,  and  feel  that  we  have  cause  for  gratitude 
in  that  we  have  been  so  well  provided  for  and  kindly 
treated. 

Seventh  month  ip.  Bid  farewell  to  Silverdale,  our  kind 
landlady,  her  husband  and  sister  Jane  Pemberton.  It  was 
touching;  some  tears  shed  by  all,  and  with  mutual  desires 
for  each  other's  welfare,  we  parted  and  proceeded  to  the 
railroad  station,  where  Daniel  Pickard  came  to  see  us  oflf. 
Took  train  for  Liverpool  and  stopped  at  the  Washington 
Hotel. 

We  heard  that  on  the  11th  inst.  The  Scythia  (the  vessel 
on  which  we  came  over),  being  one  day  out,  one  of  the 
officers  on  the  lookout,  feeling  sensible  that  the  ship  had 
struck  something,  went  to  the  stern,  when  he,  with  some 
others,  saw  a  whale  rise  up  about  five  feet  out  of  the 
water  and  was  quite  bloody.  It  was  deemed  prudent  for 
the  ship  to  return  to  Queenstown  and  be  examined  by 
sending  down  some  divers,  who  reported  three  blades 
of  the  screw  broken  and  some  of  the  stern  sheets  started. 


Age  45     DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  143 

whereupon  the  ship  was  ordered  back  to  Liverpool  for 
repairs.  The  dead  whale  was  afterwards  seen  by  a  yacht 
and,  with  the  assistance  of  a  tugboat,  was  towed  into 
Liverpool. 

Extract  from  a  letter  to  J.  S.  E.  from  Joseph  Walton : 
MooRESTOWN,  Seventh  month  13,  1875. 

D.  Pickard  speaks  kindly  and  favorably  of  thy  move- 
ments in  a  religious  way.  In  thy  present  position,  no 
doubt  prudence  is  requisite,  and  yet  there  is  a  degree  of 
liberty  in  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord,  and  when  thou  art  sen- 
sible of  its  holy  presence  and  help,  I  would  encourage 
thee  to  a  faithful  discharge  of  such  duties  as  may  be 
laid  upon  thee.  The  true  Christian  must  ever  maintain 
the  watch  and  be  instant  out  of  season  as  well  as  in 
season.  How  often  does  it  occur  that  to  the  attentive 
mind  little  openings  lead  to  opportunities  of  true  religious 
refreshment;  and  we  are  made  to  rejoice  in  spirit  at  the 
descendings  of  the  heavenly  rain  upon  what  had  seemed 
a  dry  and  thristy  land.  I  hope  and  believe  that  if  thou 
keeps  thy  place,  thy  sojourn  in  England  will  tend  to 
strengthen  and  comfort  some  who  are  often  tried  in 
spirit,  and  may  prove  useful  in  other  ways.  If  this 
should  prove  to  be  the  case,  and  if  dear  Malinda  should 
return  with  renewed  strength  and  health,  you  will  be 
repaid  for  the  fatigue,  anxiety  and  expense  attending 
your  journey. — J.  W. 

Seventh  month  20.     Left  Liverpool  for  Birmingham, 
where  we  were  kindly  entertained  by  our  friends,  William 


144  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1875 

and  Elizabeth  Graham.  From  Northampton  to  Liverpool 
it  appeared  to  be  a  great  manufacturing  district ;  is  called 
the  Black  Country.  On  our  way  here  from  Liverpool  we 
spent  a  few  hours  in  jManchester  visiting  the  Meeting 
House,  which  is  a  good  structure  and  well  planned.  A 
library  and  tract  repository  is  over  the  hall  entering  the 
Meeting  House. 

Seventh  month  21.  Went  to  Birmingham  IMeeting, 
where  perhaps  sixty  were  assembled,  and  we  had  a  good 
meeting. 

Seventh  month  26.  Left  the  hospitable  roof  of  our 
kind  friends,  the  Grahams,  and  took  train  for  Great 
Malvern.  The  country  as  we  passed  through  looked 
beautiful.  We  arrived  near  3  P.  M.  and  took  carriage 
to  the  South  Villa,  recommended  by  Elizabeth  Graham; 
but  the  rooms  there  being  all  engaged,  we  came  to  the 
Mt.  Pleasant,  on  Bellview  Terrace.  From  the  drawing- 
room  windows  had  a  magnificent  prospect  over  the  coun- 
try, as  also  from  the  garden,  which  is  terraced  with  walks 
on  the  side  of  the  hill,  and  on  the  higher  'side  of  the 
garden  is  a  summer  house,  very  favorably  located. 

Seventh  month  28.  In  the  afternoon  took  Malinda  a 
drive  along  the  west  road  to  the  pass  through  the  hills 
at  British  Camp  grove,  and  on  until  we  came  near  the 
hill  called  the  Beacon,  and  then  through  a  deep  cut  called 
"The  Witch  Pass,"  and  so  on  back  to  Malvern ;  going,  we 
stopped  at  the  spring  called  The  Holy  Well,  where,  in 
times  past,  the  monks  resorted.    The  water  is  unusually 


Age  45     DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  145 

clear  and  pure,  and  nearby  is  an  establishment  for  bot- 
tling mineral  waters,  to  be  shipped  to  London.  Every- 
where the  view  over  the  country  was  magnificent ;  and  at 
places  we  could  see  over  into  Wales. 

Seventh  motith  i-p.  Went  to  Malvern  Meeting,  Ma- 
linda  accompanying  me.  The  meeting  was  small  and 
some  little  ability  granted  to  minister  before  the  people. 

Before  breakfast  I  walked  some  distance  up  the  moun- 
tain behind  us  to  a  stand,  where  were  some  ponies  and 
donkeys  to  hire.  I  engaged  a  boy  and  a  pony  and  went  up 
to  the  St.  Ann's  well,  over  which  is  quite  a  refreshment 
house,  and  passed  on  up  a  very  winding  path  to  the 
summit  of  the  mountain.  Here  I  liberated  the  boy  and 
pony  and  walked  down. 

Seventh  niotith  jo.  In  the  afternoon  we  rode  to  the 
residence  of  Lord  Somers,  at  Eastner  Castle,  a  distance 
of  about  seven  miles,  three  of  which  were  through  his 
own  grounds  along  an  old  road  supposed  to  be  a  Roman 
road,  but  in  beautiful  order,  with  trees  and  shrubs  at 
the  sides  thereof.  There  were  herds  of  beautiful  deer 
over  the  place,  also  some  fine-looking  cattle.  The  castle 
was  a  good  specimen  of  baronial  architecture,  in  good 
condition,  but  looked  as  if  it  belonged  to  ancient  times. 
There  was  a  lake  in  which  were  geese  and  swans.  The 
garden  and  hothouse  arrangements  were  superb,  and  the 
lawn  the  most  extensive  of  any  I  ever  saw. 

Eighth  month  2.  Our  dear  friend,  Ellen,  daughter  of 
William  and  Elizabeth  Graham,  came  in,  and  we  were 


146  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i875 

truly  glad  to  see  her.    She  kindly  came  to  stay  over  night 
with  us  and  brought  us  some  interesting  reading. 

Eighth  month  5.  Received  a  kind  letter  from  Ellen 
Graham,  stating  that  her  mother  offers  to  come  and  stay 
with  Malinda  whilst  I  go  to  London.  Mercury  62°,  so 
we  ordered  fire. 

Eighth  month  6.  Left  Malvern  on  the  9.18  train;  rode 
to  Worcester,  thence  to  London,  passing  over  a  very 
cultivated  section  of  country;  in  most  places  seeming 
like  one  vast  garden,  much  of  it  farmed  without  fences 
between  the  different  patches  of  vegetables  or  crops  of 
grain.  Wheat  was  about  ripe  and  some  cut  and  shocked. 
The  bean  crop  was  also  shocked.  This  was  a  new  sight 
to  me.  It  appeared  to  have  grown  to  the  same  height  as 
wheat  and  had  been  tied  into  bundles. 

Between  Oxford  and  Readiiig  I  observed  the  earth  in 
the  cuttings  of  the  hill  of  a  very  white  color,  and  was 
told  it  was  marl.  Arrived  at  Paddington  at  a  very  capa- 
cious railway  station  about  2.30  P.  AL ;  passed  up  some 
steps,  thence  through  a  long  passageway,  down  again  to 
an  underground  passage  and  station,  and  there  took  train 
for  the  centre  or  heart  of  London.  'Twas  curious  to 
be  passing  under  a  great  city  for  a  distance  of  three  or 
more  miles.  An  enormous  expense  appears  to  have  been 
gone  into,  in  this  matter  of  tunneling  and  getting  the 
necessary  light,  but  it  is  a  monument  of  great  engineering. 

I  took  quarters  in  Joseph  Armfield's  hotel,  he  receiving 
me  kindly.     After  dinner  I  walked  out  to  the  office  of 


Age  45      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  147 

Edward  Hicks,  16  Bishopsgate  street.  He  is  a  nepKew 
of  Richard  Esterbrook,  and  he  introduced  me  to  Edward 
Marsh,  who  kindly  showed  me  over  the  Meeting  House 
property  and  the  fireproof  room  wherein  the  records  of 
the  Society  were  kept.  There  were  fifty  large  volumes 
in  manuscript  of  accounts  of  the  sufferings  and  dis- 
tresses Friends  endured  because  of  their  consistency. 
The  buildings  were  well  constructed  and  adapted  for  the 
purposes  intended,  the  Yearly  Meeting  being  there  ac- 
commodated. The  meeting  rooms  for  the  men  and 
women  being  distinct  from  the  other  two  for  the  holding 
of  ordinary  meetings  for  worship,  they  were  not  in  a  line 
as  ours,  but  more  in  a  circle,  with  large  accommodations 
for  committee  rooms,  etc.  A  book  store,  kept  by  Edward 
Marsh,  was  also  on  the  property.  The  Friends'  Institute 
is  also  connected,  where  some  are  lodged  and  where  a 
large  library  and  reading-room  is  attached. 

Joseph  Armfield  walked  with  me  some  distance  to  view 
the  Royal  Exchange,  the  Lord  Mayor's  residence,  the 
Bank  of  England,  several  banking  houses  where  the 
Gurneys  and  Barclays  held  forth,  where  the  Grace- 
church  Street  Meeting  House  once  stood,  which  is  now 
covered  by  large  buildings.  The  place  where  William 
Allen  transacted  his  business  as  a  druggist  is  occupied  by 
a  court  of  office  buildings.  A  great  monument,  two  hun- 
dred feet  high,  with  a  winding  staircase  inside  erected 
over  the  spot  where  the  great  fire  originated  in  1660,  is 
extremely  interesting  in  a  historical  sense. 


148  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1875 

From  there  we  went  to  the  London  Bridge  over  the 
Thames,  where  were  two  streams  of  vehicles  each  way ; 
a  stone  structure  on  arches,  the  river  as  wide  as  our 
Schuylkill. 

Eighth  month  J.  Arising  early,  took  a  cab  and  rode 
along  the  Strand,  viewing  the  buildings  along  the  way; 
passing  under  Temple  Bar  out  to  the  Parliament  Build- 
ings and  Westminster  Abbey,  viewing  them  and  Bucking- 
ham Palace;  through  St.  James  Park,  back  past  the 
Museum  buildings,  Old  Bailey,  the  Post  Office,  and  re- 
turning to  the  Hotel  by  8.30,  when  we  had  breakfast. 

Joseph  Armfield  took  me  over  to  Croydon,  where  we 
drove  around  making  some  calls ;  saw  the  Crystal  Palace 
in  the  distance.  Returned  to  the  Armfield  Hotel  and, 
after  tea,  took  the  train  and  passed  under  the  river  to 
Paddington,  where  I  took  the  6.30  train  and  arrived  at 
Malvern  about  11.30.  Found  Elizabeth  Graham  had 
kindly  remained  with  my  Malinda. 

Eighth  month  8.  To-day  a  letter  came  from  Dr.  Wal- 
lace, stating  that  they  would  be  in  Shrewsbury  on  the 
7th,  and  when  they  were  settled  for  any  time  at  any 
place  would  let  us  know,  but  we  thought  best  to  make 
ready  and  start  for  Shrewsbury,  if  perchance  we  could 
join  them. 

While  at  Birmingham  I  called  on  the  firm  of  Elkinton, 
there  being  five  brothers  in  the  business — that  of  silver- 
smiths.    Their  names  are  John,  Charles,  Henry,  Alfred 


Age  45      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  149 

and  Hyle.  I  was  kindly  received  and  shown  through  their 
works.     They  have  five  hundred  employees. 

Eighth  month  p.  We  left  Great  Malvern  at  11.37  by  the 
Hereford  route,  and  arrived  at  Shrewsbury  about  3  P.  M., 
to  find  that  Dr.  Wallace  had  left  that  morning  for  Bettws- 
y-Ceod;  we  were  somewhat  disconcerted,  since  it  would 
have  been  a  great  satisfaction  to  have  seen  them;  but  as 
we  are  on  our  direction  to  Liverpool,  we  shall  keep  patient 
until  we  hear.    We  took  quarters  at  the  Raven  Hotel. 

Eighth  month  lO.  Took  a  drive  around  the  town  and 
saw  many  very  antiquated  structures.  The  city  itself  is 
quite  unique. 

Eighth  month  ii.  Received  a  letter  from  Dr.  Wallace, 
informing  us  he  had  engaged  rooms  for  us  at  the  Gwydr 
House,  Bettws-y-Ceod,  and  I  telegraphed  we  would  be 
there  next  morning. 

Left  Shrewsbury  10.05,  and  proceeded  to  Chester — a 
beautiful  ride.  Arrived  about  noon  at  the  Queen's  Hotel 
and,  after  dinner,  took  a  ride  around  the  city,  viewing  the 
various  buildings  and  ruins,  and  thought  the  architecture 
different  from  any  we  had  seen  before.  This  city  is 
noted  for  having  portions  of  the  old  Roman  wall  still 
remaining. 

Eighth  month  I2.  Took  the  9.30  train  for  Bettws-y- 
Ceod,  arriving  about  noon,  when  we  met  Dr.  Wallace 
and  company.  We  were  all  glad  to  meet  again.  Found 
our  rooms  ready.  The  Gwydr  Hotel  is  favorably  situated. 

After  dinner  took  a  walk  to  the  end  of  the  town,  where 


150  JOSEPH  S.   EI.KINTON  1875 

there  is  a  fine  mountain  stream  rushing  wildly  over  the 
rocks.  It  was  interesting  to  watch  the  fish  vainly  endeav- 
oring to  jump  over  the  falls.  The  village  appears  to  have 
fifty  or  sixty  houses,  four  of  these  hotels,  all  built  of  very 
pretty  stone.  It  is  what  they  call  a  charming  place,  and 
the  scenery  around  very  beautiful. 

Eighth  month  ij.  In  the  afternoon  walked  to  what  is 
called  the  Waterloo  Bridge  from  the  fact  of  its  having 
been  constructed  the  year  the  Battle  of  Waterloo  was 
fought.     It  is  a  costly  iron  structure  and  very  solid. 

Had  a  full  conversation  with  doctor  about  Malinda ; 
he  considers  her  general  health  improved,  although  she 
needed  medical  treatment,  but  he  believed  after  our  re- 
turn home  we  would  all  be  sensible  of  a  change  for  the 
better. 

Eighth  month  14.  This  afternoon,  with  Dr.  Wallace 
and  wife,  I  took  an  excursion  to  the  Straits  of  Menai ; 
passing  the  Conway  Castle,  Wlandale,  the  latter  being  a 
bathing  place.  Took  a  carriage  at  Bangor  and  went  on 
to  see  the  Suspension  bridge;  crossing  this,  we  came  to 
the  Tubular  bridge,  built  by  Robert  Stephenson — cer- 
tainly a  monument  of  what  can  be  accomplished  by  man ; 
only  three  towers,  one  of  them  in  the  stream  itself.  The 
whole  length  of  the  bridge  is  eighteen  hundred  feet  and 
one  hundred  feet  above  the  water.  Came  back  to  Bettws- 
y-Ceod  at  8  P.  M. 

Eighth  month  ij.  Malinda,  being  taken  more  poorly, 
I  have  given  up  the  prospect  of  going  to  Ireland. 


Age  45      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  151 

Eighth  month  ip.  Went  with  Dr.  Wallace  and  son  to 
the  Penrith  slate  quarries,  passing  by  the  smaller  falls 
and  several  others  through  a  most  romantic  country. 
We  found  the  slate  quarry  to  exceed  in  extent  any  con- 
ception we  had  entertained  of  it.  Two  thousand  six  hun- 
dred men  are  said  to  be  at  work  in  the  side  of  the 
mountain.  Fifty  miles  of  tram  railway  are  used  about 
the  mountain  to  carry  the  slate  to  be  shipped. 

Eighth  month  2j.  Left  Bettws-y-Ceod  on  the  12  A.  M. 
train  for  Liverpool,  where  we  arrived  about  5  P.  M., 
Malinda  standing  the  journey  better  than  we  feared. 
Went  to  the  Washington  Hotel,  where  we  were  given  our 
old  room,  which  suited  us  very  well. 

Eighth  month  24.  Leaving  Malinda  with  Dr.  Wallace 
and  wife,  she  being  better,  I  took  the  steamer  Voltaire 
for  Belfast. 

Eighth  month  2j.  Landed  at  Belfast;  hired  a  jaunting 
car  and  proceeded  toward  the  residence  of  Foster  Green 
at  Derrie  Colgie.  These  jaunting  cars  are  curious  vehi- 
cles, designed  for  four  passengers  beside  the  driver.  They 
seemed  like  a  small  platform  over  two  wheels,  the  driver 
on  a  little  seat  perched  in  the  centre  of  the  front  of  the 
platform.  The  side  seats  overlap  the  wheels.  To  me  it 
seemed  like  a  very  shaky  way  of  riding.  I  would  think 
a  phaeton  much  more  comfortable.  About  half  way  met 
Foster  Green  coming  with  his  carriage,  to  which  I  was 
transferred,  meeting  with  a  hearty  greeting,   and   was 


152  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1875 

taken  to  his  residence,  which  gave  evidence  of  the  owner 
being  possessed  of  large  means. 

During  the  morning  visited  Foster  Green's  store  in 
Belfast,  which  is  an  extensive  establishment.  One  hun- 
dred and  twenty  men  are  employed  in  the  tea,  coffee,  spice 
and  wholesale  grocery  business. 

After  dinner  took  train  to  Hillsboro ;  on  our  way  passed 
by  the  linen  establishment  of  the  Richardson  Brothers. 
We  were  met  by  William  Green,  who  kissed  me  and  did 
certainly  exhibit  much  warmth  of  expression,  speaking  of 
the  different  members  of  our  family,  and  his  recollection 
of  father  was  very  lively.  William  Green  lives  adjoining 
the  town  of  Hillsboro,  inside  the  gate  and  wall  of  a  park 
belonging  to  the  Marquis  of  Devonshire.  It  is  a  humble- 
looking  cottage,  but  scrupulously  neat,  with  a  large,  well- 
kept  garden.  I  do  not  know  that  I  ever  found  more 
contentment  in  any  house  than  appeared  here.  William 
having  a  little  grandchild,  the  ninth  child  of  his  daughter 
Elizabeth  Sarah  Harris,  he  suggested  its  being  named 
Malinda,  for  my  wife.  We  had  an  interesting  and  in- 
structive evening  and  then,  as  well  as  next  morning,  had 
some  religious  service. 

Eighth  month  26.  William  Green  accompanied  me  to 
Belfast,  where  we  attended  the  meeting,  which  was  larger 
than  usual.  I  dined  at  Foster  Green's,  after  visitingr  a 
soap  factory  on  the  way  there  from  meeting.  In  the 
afternoon  parted  with  William  Green  at  the  railway  sta- 


Age  45     DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  153 

tion,  he  taking  train  for  home,  and  Foster  Green  accom- 
panying me  to  the  steamer  Magnetic. 

Eighth  month  27.  I  again  had  a  comfortable  passage 
across  the  channel,  arriving  this  morning  at  7  A.  M.,  and 
we  went  into  the  clearance  basin,  giving  me  an  oppor- 
tunity of  seeing  the  plan  of  these  magnificent  structures 
that  are  at  these  docks.  Went  to  the  Washington  Hotel 
and  found  M.  quite  well  for  her. 

Eighth  month  28.  Took  our  leave  of  Washington 
Hotel  about  2  P.  M.  and  were  driven  to  the  landing, 
where  we  boarded  the  tugboat  or  tender.  Josiah  Thomp- 
son accompanied  us  on  the  tender  to  the  steamship 
"Bothnia,"  where  we  embarked  and  moved  off  about 
6  P.  M. 

Eighth  month  2g.  Had  a  quiet  night  and  in  comfort- 
able condition  this  morning.  Arrived  of¥  Oueenstown 
about  noon  and  waited  for  the  London  mail.  Have  been 
told  we  have  two  hundred  and  ninety- four  cabin  passen- 
gers and  one  hundred  and  twenty  steerage.  Among  the 
cabin  passengers  is  Gen.  George  B.  McClellan. 

Ninth  month  4.  About  noon  we  passed  through  quite 
a  school  of  whales,  some  twelve  or  fifteen  of  them  being 
plainly  visible ;  and  one,  passing  quite  near  the  vessel, 
dove  down  nearly  alongside.  Much  spouting  was  seen. 
Although  I  was  much  interested  in  the  sight  of  the 
whales,  yet  I  did  not  think  we  were  any  safer  for  their 
company. 

Ninth  month  6.     Saw  a  steamer  to  the  south,  heading 


154  JOSEPH   S.   EIvKINTON  i875 

east.  There  has  not  been  a  day  since  leaving  Liverpool 
but  that  some  vessel  has  been  in  sight.  Took  on  a  pilot 
about  1.20. 

Ninth  month  8.  Anchored  off  quarantine  about  2.30 
A.  M.  Doctor  came  on  board  in  the  morning  and  we 
proceeded  on  our  way,  reaching  New  York  about  8  A.  M. 
Brother  Thomas  was  there,  waiting  for  us,  and  took 
Malinda  with  him  on  the  tender  and  took  the  9.25  train 
for  Philadelphia,  where  they  arrived  about  noon,  leaving 
me  to  see  to  the  baggage  being  passed  through  the  custom 
house  department  and  to  follow  on  a  train  leaving  Jersey 
City  about  noon. 

Extract  from  a  letter  dated  Tenth  month  14,  1875 : 
Our  family  gathered  in,  our  son  J.  coming  home  last 
week  from  his  visit  to  his  grandfather  and  grandmother 
Patterson,  and  uncles  and  aunts  in  the  west;  and  having 
experienced  preservation  from  dangers  seen  and  unseen. 
The  call  for  gratitude  that  we  have  been  thus  permitted 
to  mingle  again  with  the  family  circle  unbroken  was  per- 
haps never  greater.  "God  is  the  Lord,  that  my  soul 
knoweth  right  well,"  is  a  language  that  may,  under  the 
renewed  sense  of  his  benefits,  be  adopted.  There  was  a 
time  when  we  were  at  Silverdale,  England,  that  his 
mother  particularly  was  brought  under  great  exercise  of 
mind  on  J.'s  account  lest  he  was  in  great  danger,  and  she 
much  wanted  to  know  what  he  was  doing  or  how  he  was 
situated  It  appears  at  that  time  he  had  gone  with  his 
uncle  on  a  business  trip  from  home.     The  heat  was  ex- 


Age  45      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  155 

cessive,  the  mercury  registering  over  100°,  and  he  was 
nearly  overcome,  and  persuaded  his  uncle  to  defer  re- 
turning until  the  cool  of  the  evening  should  enable  them 
to  go  back  with  less  fatigue ;  but  in  the  evening  there  came 
on  a  tremendous  storm,  accompanied  with  severe  light- 
ning, and  their  escape  seemed  almost  marvelous,  as  the 
lightning  played  all  around  them.  Is  it  not  wonderful 
how  members  of  one  family  and  members  of  the  great 
family  and  church  are  brought  into  sympathy,  one  with 
another,  when  separated,  and  sometimes  led  to  a  breath- 
ing of  spirit  for  the  preservation,  one  of  another,  who 
may  be  exposed  to  danger  or  peculiar  trials  and  tempta- 
tions which  are  adapted  to  our  various  conditions  of  life? 
But  the  nearer  we  keep  to  the  Fountain  of  Life  the  more 
will  our  spiritual  faculties  be  developed  and  we  given  a 
sense  of  things,  or  be  given  to  partake  of  the  great  and 
precious  promises  whereby  we  are  made  partakers  of 
the  Divine  nature. 


CHAPTER  VI. 
Visit  to  Seneca  Indians. 

Referring  to  the  reading  of  the  Scripture  in  meetings 
for  worship,  J.  S.  E.  remarks:  He  should  be  pitied  who 
could  not  feel  enough  interest  to  want  to  read  the  Scrip- 
tures, but  it  is  a  great  imposition  to  enforce  it  upon  others 
when  they  may  or  should  be  in  secret  exercise  or  com- 
munion. 

Third  month,  iSyd.  Attended  a  verbal  Committee  of 
the  Monthly  Meeting  and  of  the  Property  Committee  in 
reference  to  increasing  the  accommodation  of  our  Book 
Store  (304  Arch  street),  but  did  not  come  to  any  definite 
conclusion.  I  had  a  plan  drawn  up  for  a  new  building, 
which  would  accommodate  the  library  on  the  first  floor 
and  have  some  committee  rooms.  My  design  was  to  have 
the  proposed  new  building  west  of  the  present  building, 
and  have  the  present  building  used  for  a  place  of  enter- 
tainment. Our  friend,  Thomas  Hutchinson,  however, 
thought  that  the  public  would  take  advantage  of  it  and 
that  it  was  no  requirement  of  our  Society  to  furnish 
accommodations  for  them,  and  the  expense  of  the  pro- 
posed new  building  was  thought  to  be  in  the  way.  The 
plan  I  had  presented  not  being  adopted,  the  party  whom 
I  engaged  to  draw  it  took  it  off  my  hands  without  charge. 

What  prompted  the  appointment  of  the  committee  was 
that  the  treasurer  of  the  Westtown  Committee  wanted 

156 


Age  45      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  157 

better  acommodation,  but  he  was  fitted  up  to  some  extent 
in  the  third  story  of  the  Book  Store,  and  afterward  the 
office  of  the  treasurer  was  removed  to  the  Forrest  Build- 
ing on  Fourth  street  below  Chestnut. 

Eighth  month  2^.  Heard  to-day  of  the  death  of  Anna 
Conrow,  my  Malinda's  grandmother,  an  honorable  Elder, 
who  has  served  her  generation  well.  The  funeral  is  to 
be  on  the  twenty-seventh  at  2  P.  M. 

Eighth  month  26.  It  was  expected  that  I  should  go  to 
the  funeral  of  grandmother  Conrow,*  but  I  cannot  feel 
justified  in  going  so  far  from  home  in  the  present  con- 
dition of  my  family. 

Second  month  2^,  iSjJ.  Received  a  telegram  that  aunt 
Sarah  Nutt  had  been  attacked  with  apoplexy,  which 
would  probably  be  fatal.     I  went  out  with  cousin  Mary 


*The  obituarj-  notice  in  "The  Friend"  read  thus :  Died  on  the 
25th  of  Eighth  month,  1876,  Anna  E.  Conrow,  in  the  82nd  year 
of  her  age,  a  member  and  elder  of  Stillwater  Monthly  Meeting, 
Belmont  County,  Ohio.  As  a  shock  of  corn  cometh  in  its  season 
and  as  a  servant  waiting  for  his  Lord,  we  believe  she  was  found 
with  her  lamp  trimmed  and  burning.  She  was  preserved  in 
patience  and  innocent  sweetness,  evincing  the  benefit  of  resigna- 
tion to  the  Divine  Will  in  all  things,  leaving  to  her  friends  the 
consoling  assurance  that  her  purified  spirit  entered  into  the 
longed-for  rest.  "Behold  an  Israelite  indeed,  in  whom  there  is 
no  guile." 

To  the  above  I  can  add  that  her  memory  is  very  precious  to 
me,  and  I  have  had  great  comfort  in  her  society  when  it  has  been 
my  lot  to  be  with  her. — J.  S.  E. 


158  JOSEPH  S.   ELKINTON  i877 

Wood,  arriving  at  Marshallton  about  5  P.  M.,  and  found 
that  aunt  Sarah  has  deceased  about  11  A.  M.  She  had 
risen  early  in  the  morning  and  was  sitting  in  her  chair, 
able  to  converse,  but  about  7  A.  M.  was  attacked  with 
apoplexy,  which  caused  great  suffering  in  her  head.  A 
second  attack  came  on  about  9  A.  M.,  and  from  this  she 
did  not  rally.  Funeral  to  be  from  Meeting  House,  Second 
month  26.  To  an  older  generation  of  Westtown  pupils 
she  was  long  remembered  for  her  ability  as  a  baker  of 
excellent  pies. 

Second  month  26.  A  considerable  company  gathered 
at  the  Meeting  House  at  the  time  appointed — 2  P.  M. 
An  impressive  silence  prevailing — I  think  it  might  be 
said,  was  accompanied  by  a  solemnity  not  at  our  com- 
mand. No  public  testimony  was  delivered,  but  we  silently 
committed  the  remains  to  the  grave  and  returned  to  our 
homes,  clothed  with  sobriety. 

Seventh  month  22.  First-day.  Many  absent  from 
meeting — only  three  men  sat  facing  the  meeting  and  none 
in  the  gallery  on  the  women's  side.  Still,  I  trust  the 
meeting  was  not  held  in  vain,  and  there  was  yet  a  little 
heavenly  bread  to  take  with  us  to  our  homes.  May  the 
Lord  bless  us  in  our  humble  endeavor  to  support  his 
cause,  even  in  our  weakness. 

Great  difificulty  in  the  country  from  the  uprising  of 
workingmen  and  strikes  in  different  places  by  railroad 
employees,  miners  and  others.    Militia  were  sent  to  Pitts- 


Age  47      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  159 

burgh,  and  some  loss  of  life  occurred  in  the  conflicts  that 
have  taken  place. 

Seventh  month  26.  Monthly  Meeting.  In  the  second 
meeting  William  Evans  expressed  that  he  thought  it 
would  be  well  to  consider  whether  a  meeting  under  the 
care  of  Philadelphia  Quarterly  Meeting  might  not  be 
established  at  West  Philadelphia.  Samuel  Allen  thought 
it  desirable  that  a  meeting  should  be  set  up  there.  I  had 
the  same  feeling.  Charles  Evans  said  it  was  well  for  the 
subject  to  rest  on  the  minds  of  Friends,  but  as  the  meet- 
ing would  be  within  the  limits  of  Western  District 
Monthly  Meeting,  the  consent  of  that  meeting  should  be 
obtained,  so  the  matter  was  left  for  the  time. 

Ninth  month  i.  Left  Philadelphia  in  company  with 
George  J.  Scattergood  and  my  son  Joseph  on  board  the 
steamer  "Roman,"  the  trip  being  chiefly  for  the  benefit 
of  Joseph's  health.  The  next  morning,  First-day,  G.  J.  S. 
was  able  to  go  to  the  breakfast  table,  but  I  did  not  feel 
like  it,  and  Joseph  was  a  little  seasick.  We  had  an  invi- 
tation from  the  captain  to  the  cabin,  and  were  given  to 
understand  the  Scriptures  would  be  read.  G.  J.  S.  and 
I  went  down,  and  it  proved  a  season  of  some  solemnity. 
The  afternoon  was  spent  comfortably,  and  Joseph  was 
able  to  be  at  the  tea  table  and  enjoyed  himself  in  the 
evening  in  the  wheel-house,  the  captain  taking  quite  an 
interest  in  him  and  rather  pleased  with  his  inquisitiveness. 
We  arrived  safely  in  Boston  on  the  3d.  I  visited  the 
Common  and  saw  the  spot  where  the  great  tree  stood, 


160  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1878 

noted  in  history  as  being  the  one  on  which  William 
Leddra,  Marmaduke  Stephenson,  William  Robinson  and 
Mary  Dyer  suffered  martyrdom.  I  then  visited  the  State 
Library,  where  I  was  joined  by  G.  J.  S.  and  Joseph. 

In  the  afternoon  we  took  train  for  New  Bedford,  where 
we  remained  over  night;  and,  after  a  ride  around  the 
city,  we  took  passage  and  had  a  delightful  sail  to  Oak 
Bluff,  on  Martha's  Vineyard,  where  we  dined  and  had 
a  pleasant  ride  around  the  place. 

Seventh  month  i6,  1878.  George  J.  Scattergood  and  I 
went  to  Muncy,  and  later  to  Elklands.  We  spent  the 
time  between  Seventh  month  16  and  Seventh  month  25 
attending  meetings  and  visiting  among  the  families  in  the 
two  localities,  where  we  had  some  interesting  opportuni- 
ties. Returned  home  in  time  for  our  Monthly  Meeting 
on  the  25th. 

At  a  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends  of  Philadelphia,  held 
Eighth  month  29,  1878: 

Our  beloved  friend,  Joseph  S.  Elkinton,  opened  in  this  meet- 
ing a  prospect  of  attending  in  gospel  love  the  approaching  Yearly 
Meeting  of  Friends  in  Ohio;  which,  upon  deliberate  considera- 
tion, -was  freely  united  with;  and  he  was  liberated  and  encour- 
aged to  attend  thereto,  under  the  guidance  of  best  wisdom,  he 
being  a  minister  in  unity  with  us. 

A  copy  of  this  minute  is  directed  to  be  furnished  him,  signed 
on  our  behalf. 

Taken  from  the  minutes. 

George  J.  Scattergoood,  Clerk. 
Horatio  C.  Wood, 

Correspondent. 


Age  48      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  161 

Tenth  month  24.  In  the  second  meeting  of  our 
Monthly  Meeting,  held  to-day,  I  returned  the  minute 
granted  me  two  months  ago  and  informed  the  meeting 
that,  in  company  with  Jacob  Roberts,  I  had  attended  Ohio 
Yearly  Meeting  and  having,  in  mercy,  been  permitted  to 
return  in  peace,  I  felt  thankful  to  have  been  allowed  to 
mingle  with  the  brethren  there.  The  Yearly  Meeting  was 
held  in  the  new  Meeting  House.  The  affairs  were  con- 
ducted in  harmony  and  the  general  expression  was  that 
Friends  had  met  together  for  good  and  were  comforted. 
The  meetings  for  worship  were  seasons  of  favor. 

Twelfth  month.  A  meeting  for  worship,  under  the 
care  of  the  Committee  of  the  Quarterly  Meeting,  was 
opened  Twelfth  month  3,  1878,  in  West  Philadelphia,  in 
the  Meeting  House  erected  at  Forty-second  and  Powelton 
avenue,  and  was  largely  attended,  the  house  being  about 
seven-eighths  full. 

First  Month  16,  1879. 

My  dear  Wife  :  I  telegraphed  to  thee  on  Third-day, 
telling  of  my  arrival  at  Salamanca.  It  has  snowed  some 
every  day  this  year,  so  there  is  some  depth  to  it.  We 
saw  a  man  in  Salamanca  who  gave  us  information  bear- 
ing on  our  embassy.  Next  called  on  A.  B.  Blinkey,  who 
had  been  a  councillor,  but  was  now  out  of  position,  both 
as  an  officer  and  preacher,  having  been  connected  with 
the  Baptist  Mission  in  New  York.  He  thinks  he  will  go 
back  to  the  Cattaraugus  Reservation,  where  he  came 
from.     He  gave  us  considerable  information  concerning 


162  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1879 

the  proceedings  of  the  Council  last  week,  which  im- 
peached their  president  for  signing  a  lease  without  au- 
thority, and  is  now  turned  out  and  cannot  vote  nor  hold 
office  for  five  years.  Arrived  at  Tunesassa  in  good  time 
for  tea  and  received  a  hearty  welcome.  All  seemed  in 
good  health.  Yesterday,  after  dinner,  we  went  to  see  the 
one  who  signed  an  Address  to  Friends,  asking  help  from 
them.  He  was  not  at  home,  having  gone  to  the  Council 
House  about  half  a  mile  distant.  Had  a  talk  with  his 
mother-in-law,  who  is  the  wife  of  Peter  Crouse,  and 
granddaughter  of  Alary  Jimerson,  who  was  the  great 
woman  of  note  among  the  Senecas.  Susan  Crouse  is  a 
very  intelligent  woman,  and  believes  the  Indians  are 
improving,  having  better  homes,  drink  less  whiskey  and 
generally  doing  better.  At  the  Council  House  I  found 
about  fifteen  men  and  boys  and  two  women,  the  latter 
doing  some  cooking  in  a  great  pot,  swung  over  a  famous 
pile  of  burning  wood,  in  a  huge  chimney.  The  women 
seemed  to  be  enjoying  what  they  were  at  or  what  they 
had  in  prospect  of  doing.  Some  of  the  men  were  en- 
gaged in  carpenter  work,  fixing  up  their  Council  House, 
which  was  in  need  of  repairs. 

Had  my  conversation  with  Alexander  John,  whose 
wufe  told  me  they  were  going  to  have  a  New  Year's  dance 
in  about  two  w^eeks. 

Alexander  John  wanted  our  deputation  to  meet  with 
the  Indians  of  that  neighborhood  next  Second-day.  After 
leaving  there,  traveled  back  and  called  on  Owen  Black- 


Age  49     DIARY   AND    CORRESPONDENCE  163 

snake,  whose  son  William  is  likely  to  be  appointed  presi- 
dent of  the  council,  to  meet  next  Seventh-day.  He  has 
been  president  before  and  seems  like  a  man  of  some 
presence.  I  had  a  pretty  open  talk  with  him  about  the 
concerns  which  were  felt  to  most  af5fect  their  interest 
about  not  leasing  to  whites,  and  dividing  their  land  among 
themselves.  I  hope  he  will  make  way  for  us  to  read  our 
Address  to  the  Councillors  next  Seventh-day  afternoon, 
which  will  facilitate  matters  if  the  snow  does  not  prevent 
Samuel  Morris  and  Dr.  James  E.  Rhoads  from  arriving 
at  Salamanca  in  time.  If  the  Councillors  give  us  a 
hearing,  we  can  go  on  making  our  appointments  on  the 
four  succeeding  days  over  the  reservation,  as  it  will  then 
not  make  so  much  matter  about  their  presence  at  the 
after  meetings.  I  would  hope  for  two  appointments  on 
Second-day  at  Cold  Spring  and  Oldtown,  one  at  Horse- 
shoe on  Third-day  and  one  at  Cornplanter's  on  Fourth- 
day,  so  that  by  Sixth-day,  if  things  worked  favorably,  we 
might  go  over  to  Cattaraugus  Reservation.  Aaron  P. 
Dewees  talks  of  driving  us  over  in  the  sleigh. 

With  love,  thy  husband, 

J.  S.  E. 

TuNESASSA,  First  month  4,  1879. 

My  dear  Wife  :  I  stopped  in  my  account  yesterday 

without  telling  how  we  were  spilled  out  of  the  sleigh, 

four  out  of  the  six  of  us.    I  was  on  the  front  seat,  under 

side,  and,  finding  how  things  were  going,  I  made  a  grab 


164  JOSEPH   vS.   ELKINTON  1879 

for  the  upper  side  of  the  sleigh ;  but,  missing  that,  I  took 
a  grip  around  Aaron's  body,  which  was  no  better,  for 
out  we  went  together.  Fortunately  the  horses  were  will- 
ing to  stop.  We  gathered  up  ourselves  and  robes  and, 
as  no  one  was  hurt,  proceeded  on  our  way.  We  had  a 
very  interesting  time  at  Cornplanter's,  having  arrived 
there  about  10  A.  'M.  We  had  five  hours  among  them, 
which  we  improved  to  best  advantage  so  far  as  we  were 
capable.  We  returned  to  the  school  in  time  for  a  good 
supper,  the  people  wondering  whether  we  were  in  the 
river  or  what  had  become  of  us ;  they  thought  of  sending 
a  messenger  out  to  hunt  us.  We  were  delayed  by  the 
difficulty  in  traveling  through  the  snow.  We  are,  how- 
ever, I  apprehend,  through  the  heavy  end  of  it,  unless 
the  weather  should  turn  unfavorable.  Yesterday  after- 
noon we  were  at  Oldtown,  and  had  quite  an  interesting 
time.  Took  the  sled,  as  the  sleigh  was  broken,  and  found 
it  a  hard  tug  for  the  horses,  but  the  distance  much  less 
than  the  day  before;  by  some  of  us  walking  up  one  hill 
we  got  along.  To-day  we  are  waiting  to  meet  a  dele- 
gation to  confer  on  business  with  the  Indians  at  this  place. 
William,  son  of  Owen  Blacksnake,  has  been  appointed 
president,  and  it  is  expected  that  business  will  go  on. 
We  have  improved  the  time  as  well  as  we  knew  how,  and 
it  is  plain  we  cannot  get  away  from  here  this  week. 

With  love,  thy  husband, 

J.  S.  E. 


Age  49      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  165 

First  month  24.  Yesterday  we  went  to  Oldtown,  taking 
H.  Huff  for  an  interpreter.  Present,  fourteen  men  and 
four  women. 

James  Pierce  said  they  had  but  twelve  scholars  in 
their  school.  Most  of  the  young  people  had  grown  up. 
Lafayette  Barton  said  there  were  twenty-three  children 
on  the  roll,  which,  we  understood,  were  all  there  were 
in  the  neighborhood.  We  found  King  Pierce  a  sociable 
man,  and  he  had  two  daughters.  Dr.  J.  E.  Rhoads,  before 
meeting,  spoke  to  them  as  a  physician,  advising  them  to 
keep  good  shoes  and  underclothes,  a  protection  against 
chest  diseases,  with  which  they  seem  to  be  troubled. 

When  the  meeting  convened,  Samuel  ]Morris  read  the 
Address.  Dr.  J.  E.  R.  said  a  year  ago  we  were  asked  by 
one  hundred  Indians  to  ask  the  Government  not  to  make 
laws  to  sanction  leases.  This  year  we  had  letters  from 
other  parties  to  the  same  import.  We  were  satisfied  if 
these  leases  were  carried  out  it  would  have  the  effect  to 
put  all  into  the  hands  of  white  men.  If  you  could  take 
care  of  your  royalty  of  the  oil,  you  could  take  care  of 
the  whole  thing.  Two  of  our  Friends  went  to  Washing- 
ton and  told  the  Senate  Committee  it  would  be  bad  for 
those  leases  to  be  confirmed.  Others  went  this  winter. 
I  heard  there  was  a  bill  to  remove  Indians  off  reserva- 
tion, but  was  told  there  was  no  such  bill,  but  we  think 
where  there  is  smoke  there  is  fire,  and  it  is  better  to  stop 
things  before  they  begin.  Reasons  were  given  why  such 
leases  would  be  injurious,  and  a  letter  was  written  to  put 


166  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1879 

on  file.  We  find  great  difficulty  in  government.  At  the 
last  presidential  election  we  had  great  trouble ;  men  feared 
there  would  be  strife.  Many  prayers  were  put  up  by 
good  people ;  many  felt  prayers  were  answered.  We  felt 
in  Philadelphia  you  were  in  trouble,  and  we  want  you  to 
remember  that  our  Heavenly  Father  is  able  to  help  you. 
You  should  choose  your  best  men  for  your  affairs.  Do 
this  and  keep  united.  You  have  an  interest  in  Cattarau- 
gus, and  Cattaraugus  Indians  have  an  interest  in  Alle- 
gheny, and  Cornplanters  have  an  interest  in  both.  We 
know  there  is  much  difficulty  in  different  minds;  but  we 
hope  difficulties  may  be  overcome.  Be  patient  about 
difficulties  at  Salamanca.  Some  of  your  men  are  out  of 
heart ;  that  will  not  do ;  labor  on.  Having  been  ten  years 
coming  among  you,  we  see  many  indications  you  are 
doing  better.  Better  teams,  better  cattle  are  on  hand. 
We  hope  you  are  growing  more  attentive  to  the  great 
subject  of  religion.  W^e  feel  respect  and  reverence  for 
good  men  who  feel  for  their  own  people  and  give  them 
the  hand  of  encouragement. 

J.  S.  E.  added  much  in  the  same  line. 

H.  Huff  (the  interpreter)  said  they  wished  to  express 
thanks  to  the  Friends  who  had  come  to  advise  them. 
They  hope  those  who  have  come  may  be  spared  to  get 
back  to  their  families  safe.  The  Indians  were  then  in- 
vited to  ask  any  questions  regarding  the  contents  of  the 
letter. 

Jesse  Jackson  wanted  to  know  if  the  land  could  be 


Age  49      DIARY  AND   CORRESPONDENCE  167 

divided  and  whether  there  was  any  bill  for  that  purpose. 
He  would  like  to  have  his  land  to  himself. 

J.  E.  R. :  One  individual  cannot  have  it  so,  but  a  bill 
could  be  passed,  enabling  all  Indians  to  have  it  so.  First, 
they  ought  to  stop  oil  leases ;  second,  see  to  Salamanca 
business ;  get  that  fixed,  then  you  would  be  in  condition 
to  divide  your  lands. 

J.  S.  E. :  Friends  have  advised  for  seventy  years  that 
you  divide  your  land,  and  if  you  had  done  it,  much  trou- 
ble would  have  been  saved.  Now,  as  Dr.  Rhoads  has 
said,  you  must  stop  the  present  trouble  about  oil  leases, 
etc.,  lest  others  get  such  a  hold  on  your  lands  you  cannot 
have  them  to  divide. 

J.  E.  R. :  One  of  our  Friends  is  watching  at  Washing- 
ton, too.  Some  of  your  people  feel  as  if  you  cannot  have 
the  government  carried  on  honestly ;  but  white  people, 
too,  have  trouble  like  that ;  but  when  good  people  unite, 
great  improvement  takes  place. 

At  the  suggestion  of  H.  Huflf,  a  copy  of  the  Address 
was  left  with  James  Pierce.  I  also  gave  a  copy  to  Laura 
Jimerson,  with  some  other  papers. 

First  month  2p.  We  attended  the  Council  at  New- 
town, on  the  Cattaraugus  Reservation.  Council  com- 
menced about  4  P.  M.  About  sixty-five  men  and  a  few 
women  were  present.  Sim  Logan  interpreted  for  Samuel 
Jimerson,  who  wanted  to  say  a  few  words. 

Samuel  Jimerson:  Very  thankful  to  Friends  of  Phila- 
delphia, and  that  all  were  well.     That  it  is  the  will  of 


168  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i879 

the  Great  Spirit  you  should  be  here.  We  understand  the 
dangers  and  are  glad  you  are  delivered  safe.  We  under- 
stand long  while  since  Friends  have  interest  in  our  peo- 
ple, and  we  feel  attached  in  various  ways.  There  has 
always  been  good  feeling  from  our  forefathers,  and  we 
feel  it  to-day ;  and  whatever  communication  you  have,  we 
hope  you  will  communicate  freely  of  your  feelings.  We 
know  time  is  drawing  near ;  we  are  embarrassed.  Friends 
will  give  us  instructions  to  meet  this  embarrassment.  We 
are  aware  you  understand  proceedings  in  Congress  con- 
cerning the  Indians.  We  feel  grateful  to  know  that 
Friends  have  stood  up  to  defend  the  Indians,  and  hope 
this  will  go  on.  ^Mth  these  few  words  we  express  our 
feelings ;  you  may  now  commence. 

Samuel  Morris :  We  are  glad  to  see  so  many  Xewtown 
people  this  afternoon.  We  are  very  glad  they  have  not 
forgotten  they  have  good  friends  in  Philadelphia,  for  we 
can  tell  you  that,  although  we  live  a  great  way  off,  we 
think  a  great  deal  about  you.  Our  people  often  meet  to 
talk  over  Indian  affairs  and  see  how  we  can  help  you, 
and  it  was  when  our  people  were  together  lately  they 
thought  they  could  do  no  other  than  write  you  a  letter, 
not  to  Xewtown  people  only,  but  to  all  the  Indians  in 
Allegheny  and  Cattaraugus  Reserv^ations.  We  knew  you 
were  in  trouble,  and  we  hoped  to  be  able  to  give  you 
good  advice.  We  now  have  come  to  bring  the  letter. 
We  have  come  in  love,  and  hope  your  hearts  will  be  open 


Age  49      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  169 

to  hear  us  and  to  hear  the  letter.     I  will  now  read  the 
letter. 

The  reading  was  proceeded  with  and  listened  to  with 
great  attention,  after  which  J.  S.  Elkinton  told  of  his 
feelings  on  meeting  with  the  company.  Afterwards 
James  E.  Rhoads  made  some  remarks. 

Fourth  month  10. 

My  dear  Friend  :  Thy  kind  letter  of  Second  month  10, 
1879,  reached  me  in  Iowa.  I  prized  it  not  only  for  the 
interesting  account  it  gave  of  objects  connected  with  the 
institution  at  Tunesassa,  but  all  the  more  for  the  sym- 
pathetic interest  in  my  right  getting  along  in  that  distant 
part  of  the  heritage,  where  I  found  a  body  of  friends  who 
received  me  with  openness  and  were  disposed  to  assist  me 
in  getting  from  place  to  place,  and  in  all  places  I  was 
treated  with  kindness  and  hospitality.  Each  of  the  three 
Monthly  Meetings  seems  to  have  a  range  of  territory  in 
which  are  those  dissatisfied  with  their  old  associations 
and  seeking  that  which  looks  to  them  more  spiritual  and 
more  in  consistency  with  the  profession  ever  made  by 
true  Friends  since  the  rise  of  the  Society.  There  ap- 
pear to  be  a  goodly  number  coming  out  in  the  ministry, 
that  instructors  may  not  be  wanting.  But  the  experienced 
fathers,  shepherds  and  overseers  of  the  flock  do  not  grow 
up  in  a  day,  and  more  of  these  would  be  of  service  to 
the  church.  One  of  the  most  enjoyable  sights  to  me 
was  the  young  people  at  the  First-day  morning  meet- 
ing, after  the  Quarterly  ]\Ieeting;  and  that  meeting  closed 


170  JOSEPH  S.   ELKINTON  i879 

with  sweetness,  and  we  had  some  other  seasons  of  favor. 
A  religious  opportunity  at  Evan  Smith's  was  a  season 
not  likely  to  be  soon  forgotten,  and  we  were  at  Margaret 
Pearson's,  where  our  sympathies  were  drawn  out;  but  it 
did  not  seem  a  time  for  much  utterance.  Deep  calling 
unto  deep  as  it  were,  there  is  that  that  can  see  and  feel  in 
secret,  committing  one  another  to  the  keeping  of  Israel's 
Shepherd.  We  attended  twenty-two  meetings  in  all  in 
Iowa,  some  of  them  appointed  meetings,  and  I  found 
Joseph  Walton  a  good  helper  in  the  work.  We  were  at 
Salem  and  Muscatine,  out  in  the  Bear  Creek  neighbor- 
hood; also  in  Warren  county,  then  in  Marshall  county, 
among  the  Norwegians.  Were  in  Iowa  twenty-eight 
days,  and  saw  a  good  deal  in  the  limits  of  Salem  Quar- 
terly Meeting,  Ohio.  We  spent  about  an  equal  amount 
of  time  in  each  quarter.  The  mud  would  not  let  us  get 
on  very  rapidly.  Returned  home  a  week  ago  to-day 
(Fourth  month  3d),  and  I  trust  with  thankful  hearts 
for  the  favors  received  and  for  those  extended  to  my 
family.    .    .    .  Joseph  S.  Elkinton. 

Fifth  month  5.  At  our  last  Quarterly  Meeting,  when 
in  the  course  of  reading  the  minutes  of  the  last  meeting, 
liberating  me  for  my  religious  visit,  I  reported  that, 
shortly  after  our  previous  Quarterly  Meeting,  I  started 
on  the  visit  in  order  to  attend  Salem  Quarterly  Meeting, 
Ohio,  which  was  held  the  same  week  as  our  own,  and 
was  joined  a  few  days  later  by  our  friend,  Joseph  Wal- 
ton, who  obtained  a  minute  from  his  Monthly  Meeting 


Age  49      DIARY  AND   CORRESPONDENCE  171 

to  accompany  me.  We  attended  the  meetings  belonging 
to  Salem  Quarter  with  the  exception  of  one,  which  was 
left  until  our  return,  and  held  three  public  meetings. 
The  remembrance  of  some  of  the  tendering  and  instruc- 
tive seasons  witnessed  was  precious,  and  the  manner  in 
which  we  were  helped  over  that  jfield  is  cause  for  humble 
admiration.  We  passed  on  to  Iowa  in  time  for  the  Quar- 
terly Meeting  there,  which  we  found  a  large  and  growing 
body.  It,  with  its  subordinate  meetings,  which  we  at- 
tended, were  conducted  with  weight  and  dignity.  We 
were  impressed  with  the  important  and  responsible  posi- 
tion which  they  occupy,  the  three  Monthly  Meetings  being 
situated  from  forty  to  sixty  miles  apart  and  some  of  their 
members  being  considerably  in  the  distance.  There  was 
a  harvest  field  there  of  no  ordinary  character,  and  whilst 
mistakes  may  have  been  made,  there  was  a  living  concern 
for  the  prosperity  of  Zion  and  for  the  enlargement  of  her 
borders.  In  visiting  the  distant  points  we  necessarily 
traveled  over  considerable  ground,  holding  public  meet- 
ings by  the  way.  In  all  places  we  were  received  with 
kindness  and  a  disposition  to  grant  us  the  use  of  the 
meeting  houses  and  give  notice  of  the  same,  helping  us 
on  our  way,  and  we  parted  with  friendly  and  comfortable 
feelings.  Returning  through  Salem  Quarter  (Ohio),  we 
held  four  public  meetings  and  attended  the  meeting  at 
Sewickley,  the  only  meeting  now  left  of  what  was  once 
a  large  Quarterly  fleeting.  Considering  the  natural  ad- 
vantages of  that  country,  we  were  led  to  inquire  the  cause 


172  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i879 

of  the  general  desertion,  and  were  told  that  the  extension 
of  the  mining  interest  had  brought  in  a  class  of  popula- 
tion, under  whose  influence  Friends  thought  is  undesir- 
able to  bring  up  their  children.  It  was  a  great  satisfaction 
to  me  to  have  been  allowed  the  opportunity  of  carrying 
out  a  concern  which  had  been  long  resting  on  my  mind, 
and  for  the  help  given  me  I  felt  grateful. 

325  Pine  Street,  Philadelphia, 

Eighth  month  15,  1879. 
Dear  Aunt  R.  Patterson  :  I  have  a  sympathy  for  thee 
in  thy  exercised  condition,  not  knowing  where  will  be  thy 
abiding  place,  and  which  must  necessarily  be  dependent 
upon  circumstances.  There  is  certainly  a  place  for  us 
in  this  state  of  being.  We  were  not  created  in  vain,  and 
it  is  written,  "The  Lord's  arm  is  not  shortened  that  it 
cannot  save,  nor  his  ear  grown  heavy  that  it  cannot 
hear."  Those  widows  who  are  left  without  much  of 
this  world's  goods  seem  to  be  in  special  need  of  the 
protecting  care  and  guiding  hand  of  Israel's  Shepherd, 
but  if  they  fear  the  Lord,  they  may  hope  in  his  mercy. 
And  with  all  our  tribulations  and  pressures  and  straits 
and  requisitions,  it  is  better  to  be  under  the  harrow  than 
to  be  left  to  ourselves  in  an  easy,  full,  lukewarm  or  in- 
different state.  It  would  be  better  to  be  in  prison  with 
a  sense  of  Divine  support  than  to  have  all  ease  without 
it.  I  want  thee  to  keep  close  to  the  Master,  that  his 
blessing  may  be  upon  thee  and  thy  child,  and  I  want  all 


Age  49      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  173 

who  would  be  thy  friends  to  consider  thee  and  remember 
what  is  declared  to  be  pure  religion,  undefiled  before  the 
Father,  and  strive  to  know  what  their  individual  part  is. 
So  far  as  I  now  see,  my  part  will  be  to  send  thee  a  check, 
which  I  now  enclose,  and  when  I  have  anything  further 
to  communicate,  will  hold  myself  open  for  it. 

In  sincerity,  Joseph  S.  Elkintox. 

At  a  Monthl}'  Meeting  of  Friends  of  Philadelphia,  held 
Eleventh  month  27,  1879 : 

Our  beloved  friend,  Joseph  S.  Elkinton,  a  minister  in  unity 
with  us,  informed  this  meeting  that  he  felt  an  apprehension  of 
duty  to  hold  a  few  appointed  meetings  along  the  border  of  the 
Susquehanna,  particularly  near  the  boundary  of  Maryland  also 
one  or  two  with  Friends  and  others  near  Winchester,  Virginia, 
and  a  few  in  the  city  of  Baltimore.  This  prospect  claiming  the 
serious  consideration  of  this  meeting,  sympathy  and  unity  with 
him  therein  were  felt  and  expressed,  and  he  was  liberated  and 
encouraged  to  attend  thereto  as  best  wisdom  may  direct.  A  copy 
of  this  minute  is  directed  to  be  furnished  him,  signed  on  our 
behalf. 

Taken  from  the  minutes. 

George  J.  Scattergood,  Clerk. 
Charles  J.  Allen, 

Correspondent. 

Twelfth  month.  In  the  Twelfth  month,  1879,  I  was 
engaged  with  Henry  Wood  in  a  religious  visit  along  the 
Susquehanna  river,  and  held  a  public  meeting  near  Co- 
lora,  and  then  went  over  into  Gideon  Smith's  neighbor- 
hood, on  the  other  side  of  the  river.  We  were  told  that 
the  Susquehanna  river  was  lower  than  it  had  been  for 
seventy-two  years.  The  wells  in  Darlington,  Md.,  were 
dry.    During  our  stay  in  the  neighborhood  of  Winchester 


174  JOSEPH   S.   EIvKINTON  i879 

we  were  told  that  during  the  late  war  that  place  had 
changed  hands  seventy-four  times.  Whilst  out  on  this 
journey  we  had  a  meeting  at  the  Meeting  House  belong- 
ing to  the  colored  people  on  Sharpe  street,  Baltimore. 
After  the  permission  had  been  given  us  to  hold  the 
meeting,  I  felt  I  had  better  go  and  see  the  house  and, 
finding  the  pulpit  fixed  up  rather  luxuriously,  I  arranged 
with  the  sexton  to  have  some  chairs  placed  below  the 
pulpit  for  us,  facing  the  people.  The  sexton  told  me  that 
the  ministers  were  in  conference  in  an  adjoining  building, 
and  suggested  my  meeting  with  them.  Henry  Wood 
suggested  our  inviting  James  Carey  to  accompany  us, 
which  we  did,  and  we  entered  the  place  where  they  were 
assembled.  The  president  read  the  Scriptures  and  en- 
gaged in  prayer.  The  ministers  gave  in  a  little  statement 
of  the  leading  points  of  their  exercises  in  their  congrega- 
tions the  previous  day,  without  going  into  much  details. 
Some  little  comment  was  made  as  they  went  along,  but 
no  severe  criticism.  They  seemed  to  be  in  a  good  spirit 
and  acted  with  dignity  as  if  they  were  under  a  sense  of 
their  responsibilities.  I  made  some  remarks,  and  Henry 
Wood,  who  had  gotten  under  exercise,  spoke  excellently 
to  a  point  previously  under  discussion.  He  was  favored 
with  a  remarkable  opening  on  the  outpouring  of  the  Spirit 
on  the  day  of  Pentecost,  and  in  the  course  of  his  com- 
munication he  said :  "Have  we  an  account  of  any  greater 
manifestation  of  Divine  power,  under  the  law,  or  any 
other  dispensation,  than  that  which  is  given  us  in  the 


Age  49      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  175 

gospel,  of  the  outpouring  of  the  Spirit  on  the  day  of  Pen- 
tecost, when  men  spake  in  such  a  way  that  they  were 
understood  by  different  nations?"  Henry  Wood  spoke 
for  perhaps  twenty  minutes.  An  opportunity  was  given 
to  have  our  certificates  read  and  to  state  that  our  minds 
were  impressed  to  hold  a  meeting  that  evening  in  the 
meeting  house  adjoining.  The  way  was  made  quite  open 
for  us. 

We  stated  that  we  mentioned  the  matter,  that  if  it  met 
with  their  approval,  we  might  have  their  sympathy.  As 
the  time  for  holding  the  meeting  approached,  Henry 
Wood  felt  rather  discouraged  lest  we  could  not  hold 
control  of  the  meeting,  but  that  they  might  start  up  some 
singing  or  something  of  the  kind,  but  I  desired  we  might 
keep  the  faith,  and  I  think  we  were  helped.  My  brother 
Thomas,  Charles  J.  Allen  and  George  J.  Scattergood  came 
down  to  Baltimore  to  attend  it. 

After  taking  our  seats  in  the  chairs  that  had  been 
arranged  below  the  pulpit  for  us,  the  minister  came  down 
and  asked  me  if  I  would  open  the  meeting,  and  I  said, 
"Yes !"  I  had  never  made  such  an  answer  in  similar 
circumstances,  but  it  seemed  to  me  best  to  do  so  on  that 
occasion,  as  I  feared  if  they  started  any  exercise  to  which 
Henry  Wood  was  unaccustomed,  he  might  be  jostled.  So 
I  arose  and  said,  in  substance,  that  we  had  come  to  that 
city  under  a  sense  that  it  was  a  time  of  visitation  to  the 
people  there  of  Divine  love  and  mercy,  and  we  wanted 
to  meet  with  them  to  hold  a  meeting  for  worship,  but  I 


176  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1879 

could  not  tell  them  just  what  the  nature  of  the  exercises 
might  be  or  whether  there  would  be  any.  I  added  that 
there  was  one  of  their  people  who  came  into  our  city- 
holding  meetings,  and  on  one  occasion  when  the  people 
seemed  a  little  unsettled,  she  said:  "If  they  did  not  keep 
quiet,  endeavoring  to  worship  our  Creator,  that  she 
could  not  tell  what  the  mind  of  the  Spirit  would  be;" 
and  that  I  believed  if  we  would  all  gather  into  the 
quiet,  endeavoring  to  worship  our  Creator,  that  we  would 
not  spend  the  evening  in  vain.  We  had  a  solid  silence 
for  about  twenty  minutes  when  Henry  Wood  was  engaged 
in  supplication,  which  tended  to  deepen  the  meeting.  I 
followed  him  in  testimony,  commencing  with  the  words, 
"I  love  the  Lord  because  he  hath  heard  my  voice  and 
my  supplication."  After  this  Henry  Wood  spoke.  His 
mind  was  led  into  doctrinal  subjects,  and  he  certainly 
covered  a  great  deal  of  ground,  and  had  the  ear  of  the 
audience.  Occasionally  one  would  go  out  and  return, 
bringing  with  him  twenty  or  thirty  persons,  so  that  on 
the  whole  it  was  a  large  meeting.  Before  the  meeting 
closed  I  engaged  in  supplication,  craving  that  the  church 
might  be  endued  with  power  from  on  high.  As  we 
walked  from  the  meeting,  which  was  two  and  a  quarter 
hours  long,  Henry  Wood  remarked  that  he  thought  it 
about  the  best  meeting  we  had  held.  I  rated  the  day  as 
one  of  the  most  interesting  that  I  had  known  whilst  out 
in  the  service  of  Truth. 

Tzvelfth  month  i8.    Attended  meeting  in  Baltimore,  in 


Age  49     DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  177 

which  our  dear  friend,  Henry  Wood,  was  acceptably 
engaged  in  the  ministry.  I  beheve  I  never  traveled  with 
any  one  who  kept  his  bow  more  steadily  strung.  When 
we  went  into  a  Friend's  house  he  would  seek  to  know 
whether  any  religious  service  was  required  of  him  before 
he  could  engage  in  ordinary  conversation.  We  returned 
home  on  the  afternoon  of  the  18th,  having  dined  with 
Dr.  James  Carey  Thomas  and  wife. 

Twelfth  month  26.  Went  to  Salem  to  attend  the  fu- 
neral of  Hannah  Smith,  whose  maiden  name  was  Tyler. 
She  was  a  niece  of  Lucia  Elkinton,  the  second  wife  of 
my  grandfather,  Asa  Elkinton.  In  my  boyhood  days 
cousin  Hannah  (Tyler)  Smith  and  her  son  Clement  lived 
with  her  sister,  Mary  Tyler,  over  Peter  Williamson's 
drug  store,  at  the  corner  of  Second  and  Almond  streets, 
which  was  near  where  grandmother  Elkinton  and  aunt 
Hannah  Gillespie  lived,  also  aunt  Hannah  Davis,  v/ho 
was  a  daughter  of  Lucia  Elkinton,  thus  my  father's  step- 
sister. The  families  were  very  intimate,  and  I  think  they 
continued  to  live  in  that  locality  after  the  death  of  grand- 
mother and  her  sister,  aunt  Hannah  Gillespie,  who  both 
died  the  same  evening,  the  former  in  the  eightieth,  and 
the  latter  in  the  ninetieth  year  of  her  age.  Both  had  been 
crippled  by  a  fall,  one  three  years  and  the  other  five  years 
before  their  death.  There  was  one  funeral  for  the  two 
sisters,  who  were  buried  in  the  graveyard  at  Sixteenth 
and  Cherry  streets. 

William  Evans  was  remarkably  favored  at  the  time  of 


178  JOSEPH  S.   ELKINTON  188O 

the  funeral  in  speaking  to  a  mixed  company.  My  father 
adverted  to  his  communication  as  being  very  impressive 
to  him,  and  he  admired  the  Divine  power  manifested  in 
enabling  him  to  speak  so  appropriately.  Grandmother 
was  associated  with  the  Hicksites.  The  Smith  and  Tyler 
families  afterward  moved  to  Marshall  street,  near  Noble, 
and  became  members  of  North  Aleeting. 

First  month  13,  1880.  After  a  meeting  held  among  the 
other  branch  of  Friends  (Hicksites),  a  number  came  up 
and  spoke  as  if  the  meeting  had  been  a  comfort  to  them 
and  showed  me  marked  kindness.  I  hope  ever  to  be 
preserved  from  being  lifted  up  or  taken  ofif  my  feet  by 
the  approval  or  praise  of  men,  but  rather  to  be  found 
seeking  that  honor  that  cometh  from  God  only.  But  I 
want  attention  turned  to  those  places  or  communities 
w^here  there  may  be  felt  any  drawings  of  the  Spirit  to 
visit,  believing  that  there  are  places  where  the  Lord  has 
a  work  going  forward  among  the  people,  inclining  their 
hearts  unto  his  love,  and  I  trust  unto  a  patient  waiting 
for  Christ,  in  whom  there  may  be  in  some  cases  more 
of  a  true  belief  than  we  might  suppose. 


CHAPTER  VII. 
Religious  Visits  in   Pennsylvania  and  New  York. 

Second  month  2,  1880.  Our  Quarterly  Meeting  was 
held,  among  others  present  were  father  and  mother  Pat- 
terson. After  the  second  meeting  some  one  remarked 
to  father  Patterson  that  mother  Patterson  had  accepted 
an  invitation  to  dine  with  Abigail  Wood,  when  he  re- 
marked, "If  Rachel  is  going,  I  will  go  too."  His  son-in- 
law,  John  G.  Haines,  walked  with  him  to  Abigail  Wood's. 
On  entering  the  house,  father  spoke  of  feeling  very  tired. 
In  the  hall  he  took  off  his  overcoat  and  hat,  then,  reaching 
for  his  cane,  he  fell  over.  John  G.  Haines  caught  him, 
but  father  had  suddenly  breathed  his  last.  Mother  Pat- 
terson was  in  the  dining-room  and,  being  called,  quickly 
came,  but  not  in  time  to  see  him  alive.  It  was  a  sudden 
shock  to  us — for  him  to  go  out  of  the  house  with  me  in 
the  morning,  and  to  have  his  remains  brought  home  in 
the  evening  in  a  box.  How  little  we  know  in  the  morning 
as  to  what  the  day  may  bring  forth ! 

Second  month  6.  We  had  a  large  collection  of  Friends 
to-day  at  father  Patterson's  funeral,  which  took  place  at 
our  house,  325  Pine  street.  There  were  about  eighteen 
ministers  present.  Mother  Patterson  first  broke  silence, 
speaking  with  force  and  clearance.  "The  Lord  gave,  the 
Lord  hath  taken  away,  blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord." 

179 


180  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1880 

She  spoke  of  their  being  blessed  together  many  years. 
Phebe  A.  Elkinton,  Morris  Cope,  Elizabeth  Allen,  Wil- 
liam Kite,  brother  Tilman  Patterson,  Henry  Wood,  Sarah 
A.  Collins,  Debbie  Cope,  Marshall  Fell,  John  S.  Stokes 
had  offerings,  either  in  the  line  of  testimony  or  suppli- 
cation. 

The  burial  was  at  Sixteenth  and  Cherry  streets,  and 
the  grave  within  a  short  distance  of  where  my  father  and 
mother  were  interred,  they  two  being  in  one  grave. 

Father  Patterson's  grave  was  at  the  commencement  of 
a  row  starting  south  from  the  centre  walk  or  drive. 

Eleventh  month  ii.  At  our  Meeting  for  Worship  held 
to-day  there  were  an  unusual  number  of  children  present. 
Mother  Patterson's  heart  was  opened  toward  them  in  an 
affectionate  manner,  and  she  desired  that  all  might  im- 
prove their  opportunities.  She  commenced  with,  "What 
thou  doest,  do  with  thy  might."  I  felt  constrained  to 
follow  in  supplication  under  a  sense  that  the  tender  mer- 
cies of  the  Lord  were  over  all  his  works. 

Extract  from  a  letter  written  by  J.  S.  E.  First  month 
13,  1881: 

The  Indians  are  advancing,  and  I  want  to  see  them 
treated  properly.  Christianity  has  more  place  with  them 
than  in  time  past,  and  there  are  those  among  them  who 
are  doubtless  designed  as  instruments  for  good  in  the 
Divine  hand;  we  met  with  a  number  that  we  felt  to  be 
near  the  kingdom.  Owen  Blacksnake  and  wife  came  to 
meeting  while  we  were  at  Tunesassa,  and  it  was  a  com- 


Age  51      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  181 

fort  to  me  to  have  their  company.  Owen  told  me  how 
he  felt,  and  I  was  satisfied  he  was  not  long  for  this  world. 
He  has  since  deceased.  One  of  our  friends  wrote  that 
his  funeral  was  the  largest  among  the  Indians.  A  short 
time  before  his  death  he  went  into  an  Indian  house  and, 
seeing  a  Bible  on  the  table,  asked  if  that  book  told  about 
Jesus.  On  being  answered  "Yes,"  he  said,  "Good  book ; 
I  am  going  to  see  Jesus." — J.  S.  E. 

325  Pine  Street. 
Philadelphia,  First  month  13,  1881. 
Chief  Joseph  Onesakenrat: 

Respected  Friend:  I  was  very  glad  to  get  thy  note,  for 
it  would  seem  by  that  thou  hast  reached  thy  own  home 
in  safety.  I  stood  and  watched  thee  and  thy  companions 
returning  to  Cornwall  Island,  on  the  ice,  on  the  morning 
of  the  26th  of  last  month,  until  there  was  danger  of  my 
taking  cold.  My  secret  desires  were  that  you  all  might  be 
preserved  through  the  dangers  of  that  day,  and  in  mercy 
your  lives  be  spared,  not  only  to  get  to  your  home,  but 
also  be  made,  in  the  future,  a  blessing  to  your  people. 

I  did  receive  two  copies  of  the  "Iroquois  Gospel,"  but 
had  so  much  to  attend  to  since  my  return  home  that  I 
did  not  get  them  acknowledged.  I  am  very  much  obliged 
for  thy  attention. 

Hoping  the  blessing  of  the  Lord  may  be  with  thee,  and 
with  thy  family  and  people. 

I  am  thy  friend, 

Toseph  S.  Elkinton. 


182  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1881 

First  month  21,  1881.  George  J.  Scattergood  and  I 
returned  last  night  from  a  trip  among  the  Indians  on 
Long  Island.  V\t  had  two  meetings  among  the  Shine- 
cock  Indians  and  one  among  a  band  of  about  fifty  at 
Poosepattuck,  about  eight  miles  from  Yaphank,  that  we 
knew  nothing  of  before  we  reached  Long  Island.  These 
meetings  were  held  to  satisfaction  and  it  was  a  very- 
interesting  visit,  there  being  real  piety  found  amongst 
them.  One,  Betsey  Cuffee,  aged  about  eighty-five,  was 
especially  interesting,  of  whom  is  the  following  little 
account : 

This  dear  woman.  Betsey  Cuffee,  is  a  believer  in  secret 
prayer;  she  told  us  that  when  she  first  became  serious, 
her  husband  was  far  from  being  a  religious  man,  and  she 
prayed  that  he  might  be  a  Christian,  and  when  he  became 
so,  she  prayed  for  her  children  and  had  the  satisfaction 
of  having  them  all,  as  she  said,  members  of  the  church. 
Her  husband  was  a  deacon  in  it.  She  spoke  as  one  who 
had  seen  many  tribulations,  but  her  stay  seemed  to  be  in 
the  Lord,  in  whose  mercy  she  had  hope.  She  spoke  of 
entertaining  good  people  in  her  house  and  always  willing 
to  share  what  she  had.  She  was  evidently  concerned  for 
the  welfare  of  her  people. 

She  also  told  of  a  minister  who  came  amongst  them  to 
end  his  days,  and  when  near  his  end  he  got  up  from  his 
deathbed  and  went  upon  his  knees,  and  prayed  that  the 
tribe  might  be  blessed. 


Age  51      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  183 

Extract  from  a  letter  dated  Second  month  17,  1881,  by 
J.  S.  E.: 

After  leaving  Dunkirk  last  month,  Joseph  Walton  and 
I  proceeded  to  Canada  and  had  an  interesting  visit  with 
the  Indians  on  the  Grand  River  Reservation,  and  thence 
to  the  St.  Regis  and  Oneida  Indians.  We  were  out  forty- 
five  days  and  had,  in  the  course  of  our  journeyings,  con- 
siderable exposure  and  some  perils,  but  the  retrospect 
afifords  us  peace  and  comfort.  We  had  some  very 
interesting  opportunities,  one  meeting  in  particular  on 
Cornwall  Island  I  never  expect  to  forget,  for  on  that 
memorable  occasion  I  felt  that  there  was  but  a  step 
between  us  and  death.  Since  our  return  we  have  heard 
of  the  death  of  Chief  Joseph  Onesakenrat,  who  was  at 
the  meeting  and  was  engaged  in  prayer,  as  well  as  vocal 
exercise ;  he  had  been  instrumental  in  gathering  some  of 
the  Indians  on  that  island  from  under  the  influence  of 
the  priest,  among  whom  is  Michael  Benedict,  the  principal 
man  on  the  island,  one  of  tender,  loving  spirit,  and  it  was 
in  his  house  the  meeting  was  held. — J.  S.  E. 

Second  month  24.  I  was  engaged  to-day  in  meeting  to 
speak  on  the  passage :  "Children,  obey  your  parents  in  all 
things,  for  this  is  well-pleasing  to  the  Lord" ;  also  dwelt 
on  "Honor  thy  father  and  thy  mother  that  thy  days  may 
be  long  in  the  land  which  the  Lord  thy  God  giveth  thee." 
After  addressing  the  children  to  some  length,  I  turned 
to  the  condition  of  the  shepherds  who  were  watching 
over  the  flock  at  night,  when  there  was  a  light  which  did 


184  JOSEPH  S.   ELKINTON  1881 

shine  above  them,  the  glory  of  the  Lord  was  about  them 
when  an  angel  spake  to  them:  "I  bring  you  good  tidings 
of  great  joy  which  is  to  all  people,  unto  you  is  born  this 
day,  in  the  city  of  David,  a  Saviour,  which  is  Christ  the 
Lord."  My  heart  was  knit  in  an  especial  manner  to  some 
in  younger  life,  believing  that  the  door  was  now  open  for 
them  to  take  hold  of  the  mercies  of  the  Lord,  which  were 
now  extended,  and  they  might  take  comfort  in  that  it  was 
for  all  people  the  glad  tidings  were  declared. 

At  a  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends  of  Philadelphia,  Fourth 
month  28,  1881. 

Our  beloved  friend,  Joseph  S.  Elkinton,  informed  this  meet- 
ing that  he  had  felt  his  mind  drawn  towards  the  inhabitants 
of  some  of  the  towns  and  villages  located  within  the  limits 
of  Exeter  and  Muncy  Monthly  Meetings,  and  that  he  believed 
that  it  would  be  right  for  him  to  appoint  some  public  meetings 
within  and  adjoining  those  limits.  This  prospect  claiming  our 
weighty  consideration,  sympathy  and  unity  with  him  therein  were 
expressed,  and  he  was  liberated  and  encouraged  to  pursue  it,  as 
Truth  may  open  the  wa}',  he  being  a  minister  in  unity  with  us.  A 
copy  of  this  minute  was  directed  to  be  furnished  him,  signed  on 
our  behalf. 

Taken  from  the  minutes. 

George  J.  Sc.a.ttergood,  Clerk. 
Charles  J.  Allen, 

Correspondent. 

Fifth  month  4.  Attended  the  funeral  of  Susan  Cozens, 
held  at  the  Meeting  House  at  Chester,  Pa.,  at  2.30  P.  M. 

Fifth  month.  For  some  time  I  have  felt  a  concern  for 
holding  some  Meetings  for  Worship  in  the  vicinity  of 
Muncy  and  Exeter,  more  particularly  among  the  German 


Age  51     DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  185 

Lutherans,  but  have  rather  held  back  from  starting  out 
on  this  service,  but  it  now  seems  as  if  the  time  were  at 
hand.  Should  I  be  allowed  the  company  of  such  an 
experienced  workman  as  Elwood  Dean,  I  believe  the  good 
cause  would  be  helped,  although  I  trust  neither  of  us 
would  depend  upon  one  another  for  that  which  can  only 
come  from  the  true  source.  Should  Elwood  Dean's 
Monthly  Meeting  feel  easy  to  liberate  him  to  pursue  the 
line  of  service  in  these  parts  as  way  may  open,  it  will  be 
very  grateful  to  me. — J.  S.  E. 

Fifth  month  ii.  Elwood  Dean  and  uncle  Jesse  De- 
wees  are  with  us.  We  had  a  favored  time  at  the 
breakfast  table;  both  Elwood  Dean  and  myself  were 
engaged  in  supplication.  I  felt  constrained  to  express 
my  gratitude  for  the  visitations  so  mercifully  granted  to 
our  family  of  late,  and  petitioned  the  Lord  that  the 
angel  of  his  presence  might  be  round  about  those  who 
went  out  before  the  people,  and  also  those  who  remained 
at  home. 

Eighth  month  26.  Yesterday  came  to  Catawissa  and 
made  arrangements  for  a  meeting  to  be  held  this  eve- 
ning. The  house  was  well  filled  and  we  had  a  good 
meeting.     The  people  were  certainly  very  attentive. 

There  were  a  good  many  boys  assembled  outside,  who 
were  persuaded  to  come  in.  Some  were  disposed  to 
ridicule,  saying,  *'We  are  going  to  have  a  Quaker  Meet- 
ing,"    I  answered  them,  saying,  "Yes,  we  are  going  to 


186  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  188I 

have  a  Quaker  Meeting;  now  let  us  go  in  and  see  what 
a  Quaker  Meeting  is." 

Extract  from  a  letter  Eighth  month,  1881 : 

The  meeting  held  at  Catawissa  was  in  a  very  old  log 
meeting  house,  belonging  to  Friends  formerly.  The 
next  morning  we  had  a  mountainous  ride  of  fifteen  miles 
to  Roaring  Creek,  and  sat  in  a  house  much  like  the  one 
at  Catawissa,  built  in  1796.  Many  more  were  present 
than  we  expected,  and  it  w^as  a  precious  meeting.  I  shall 
long  remember  the  tender  feelings  and  sweetness  of  the 
occasion.  Elwood  Dean  was  very  earnest  and  plain  in 
his  communication.  Being  nestled  in  the  woods  the  situa- 
tion of  the  house  was  very  pretty. — J.  S.  E. 

Eighth  Month  28,  1881. 

My  dear  Wife:  Thy  feeling  letter  of  24th  was  duly 
received  and  very  acceptable.  Thy  letter  received  yes- 
terday, telling  of  Sarah  A.  Deacon's  sudden  call,  is  very 
affecting.  As  I  bid  her  farewell,  the  words  were  on  the 
end  of  my  tongue,  and  I  cannot  tell  whether  I  really 
expressed  them  or  not,  but  I  felt  like  saying  to  her, 
"This  is  the  last  time  we  shall  see  each  other."  There  is 
an  indistinct  recollection  of  her  responding  to  something 
I  said,  that  she  hoped  we  should  see  each  other  again 
and  the  conversation  was  extended  a  little  farther. 

Well,  my  dear,  let  us  strive  to  keep  nearer  the  Fountain 
head,  in  which  exercise  we  may  be  blessed  together.  I 
believe  I  thought  of  thee  in  meeting  to-day  as  much  as  I 
have  ever  done  before,  and  was  clothed  with  the  spirit  of 


Age  51      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  187 

prayer,  and  gave  some  expression  in  that  line.  Elwood 
Dean  followed  in  testimony.  There  were  about  one  hun- 
dred present.  One  after  another  of  our  dear  friends  are 
being  removed.  We  have  had  much  to  experience  in  that 
line,  but  we  and  our  children,  save  dear  little  Thomas, 
are  still  spared.  May  we  be  blessed  together  and  have 
the  satisfaction  of  knowing  all  to  be  walking  in  the  Truth, 
and  ripening  for  the  Heavenly  garner.  We  have  lived 
together  nearly  twenty-five  years,  been  partakers  of  many 
exercises,  but  we  have  reason  to  believe  the  Lord  has 
not  forsaken  us,  and  will  He  not  support  us? 

With  love,  thy  husband, 

J.  S.  E. 

Eighth  month  30,  1881. 
My  dear  Wife  :  My  mind  has  been  much  on  the  funer- 
al of  our  dear  friend,  S.  A.  Deacon.  There  is  something 
precious  in  the  thought  of  falling  in  the  harness,  or  of 
being  found  at  our  post  at  the  call  of  our  Lord.  I  had 
a  good  deal  of  a  struggle,  traveling  through  the  dust 
yesterday,  between  having  my  mind  on  the  funeral  at 
Germantown  and  the  preparation  for  the  work  of  the 
evening,  and  Elwood  Dean  had  enough  to  do  to  get  his 
mind  quiet.  He  went  to  bed  the  first  thing  on  getting  to 
the  hotel,  but  the  bathtub  was  the  first  place  for  me  and 
then  supper,  after  which  I  had  an  hour  for  rest  before 
the  meeting.  With  love,  thy  husband, 

J.  S.  E. 


188  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  188I 

Ninth  month  5. 

My  dear  Wife  :  I  parted  with  our  son  Joseph  this 
morning  at  Canton  with  rather  a  heavy  heart,  for  I 
wanted  him  to  go  on  to  Tunesassa  with  us,  knowing  his 
heart  was  in  it,  and  Elwood  Dean  also  regretted  his 
leaving  us. 

Riding  in  the  cars  to  Elmira  from  Canton  the  language, 
"As  a  father  pitieth  his  children,"  was  very  pleasant  with 
me ;  and  all  our  children  were  brought  to  view  in  as  close 
and  dear  a  manner  as  I  ever  remember  and  with  an  in- 
creased love.  I  think  the  value  of  them  ever  increases 
in  our  eyes.  Whilst  I  really  wanted  Joseph  to  go  on  with 
us,  I  could  not  insist,  for  we  heard  that  they  had  typhoid 
fever  at  Tunesassa.  We  have  been  exposed  to  malarial 
fever,  smallpox  and  considerable  dust  and  heat,  and  it  is 
likely  we  are  to  meet  with  some  more  of  the  miseries 
mankind  is  subject  to,  but  if  our  son  had  taken  up  with 
any  of  the  evils  named,  there  would  doubtless  have  been 
sorrow  enough  in  the  camp.  ^Mercury  to-day  95°  in  the 
shade.  With  love,  thy  husband, 

J.  S.  E. 
Tunesassa,  Ninth  month  10,  1881. 

]\Iy  dear  Wife:  Thou  wrote  me  an  excellent  letter  on 
the  3d  inst.,  our  twenty-fifth  anniversary,  for  which  I 
was  truly  obliged.  I  have  it  not  by  me  just  now,  but  the 
spirit  of  it  is  very  fresh,  and  whilst  I  did  not  employ  my 
time  in  writing  to  thee  on  that  day,  nor  could  I  say  that 
my  thoughts  were  on  the  subject  that  particular  day,  yet 


Age  51      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  189 

some  days  before  it  was  a  good  deal  with  me,  contem- 
plating what  we  had  witnessed,  and  our  being  yet  spared 
together.  Sincere  and,  I  trust,  devout  feelings  of  thank- 
fulness were  experienced  for  that  which  does  make  us 
one  another's  joy  in  the  Lord.  I  have  never  known  any 
greater  depth  of  feeling  in  that  oneness  which  those  feel 
who  are  truly  united  than  at  this  time,  the  experience  of 
which  is  very  confirming  as  to  our  belonging  one  to  the 
other,  of  which  there  never  was  a  doubt  since  our  union ; 
but  then  it  is  precious,  not  only  to  be  baptized  together, 
but  to  feel  that  we  are  one  and  that  the  blessing  of  the 
Lord  has  not  been  withheld,  and  whatever  may  yet  be 
suffered  to  overtake  us,  we  may  hope  in  the  mercy  and 
goodness  of  the  Lord,  whose  blessing  alone  can  make 
truly  rich.  I  cannot  write  more  in  this  line,  although  my 
heart  is  full  of  feeling.  When  I  said  I  must  write  to 
thee.  Uncle  Jesse  said,  "Be  sure  and  send  my  love." 
"Yes,"  I  said,  "on  first  page  and  first  thing,  so  as  to  be 
sure  and  get  it  done."  But  then  my  own  love  is  the 
strongest  and  so  overshadowed  his  message  that  I  forgot 
it  until  I  had  something  written  for  myself. 

Thine  of  the  8th  inst.  was  handed  me  this  morning, 
and  I  was  hungry  for  it.  Ninety-seven  degrees  is  the 
highest  I  have  seen  the  mercury  since  coming  here.  El- 
wood  Dean  and  I  have  been  quite  becalmed  since  Fifth- 
day  morning.  Whether  the  weather  has  had  anything  to 
do  with  it  or  not,  we  have  found  the  easiest  thing  to 
do  was  to  spend  much  of  the  time  on  the  lounge.    I  have 


190  JOSEPH   S.  ELKINTON  188I 

felt  glad  that  we  went  to  Cornplanter's  on  Fourth-day 
and  made  some  calls  on  the  way,  especially  on  Cynthia 
Gordon. 

Fifth-day  morning  we  had  Indians  here  from  different 
parts  of  the  Reservation,  Cynthia  Gordon  from  Corn- 
planter's,  Laura  Jimerson  Huff  from  Oldtown,  Wallace 
Jimerson  and  wife  from  Red  House,  and  they  brought 
with  them  Wallace's  grandfather,  William  Patterson,  the 
oldest  Indian  on  the  Reservation ;  they  say  he  is  ninety- 
six  years  of  age.  The  afternoon  was  pretty  much  spent 
in  conversation,  somewhat  of  a  religious  character,  so  it 
was  a  pretty  full  day's  service. 

The  situation  here  has  been  very  grave,  the  wells  at 
the  barn  are  dry,  also  the  well  at  the  house,  and  a  very 
small  amount  of  water  in  the  cistern  for  rain  water.  No 
water  at  either  of  the  tenement  houses,  and  the  only  well 
available  for  the  institution  is  one  at  the  foot  of  the  hill 
behind  the  house,  from  which  four  families  now  get  their 
supply.  The  creek  can  be  walked  over  without  wetting 
one's  boots,  and  the  Indians  say  they  have  never  seen 
the  river  so  low.  Last  week  things  were  alarming.  Fire 
in  the  woods  approached  so  near  that  much  timber  and 
some  fencing  on  the  farm  were  destroyed,  and  in  one 
place  the  fire  was  within  three  hundred  or  four  hundred 
yards  of  the  buildings.  The  rain  on  the  night  of  the  1st 
inst.  put  out  the  fire.  I  fear  the  low  state  of  the  water 
and  another  cause  had  something  to  do  with  the  sickness 
here  the  past  season,  and  the  Committee  will  have  some- 


Age  51      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  191 

thing  to  do  to  get  things  into  better  shape.  Early  this 
morning  E.  Dean  said  he  felt  easy  to  move  on  toward 
Salem,  and  wished  me  to  go  with  him.  I  said  it  was  too 
foggy  and  cloudy  to  start ;  I  wanted  a  little  daylight  and 
a  little  strength  and  we  had  better  stay  until  Second-day, 
to  which  he  settled  down  gracefully.  Keep  patient,  my 
dear;  I  think  thou  will  see  me  settled  down  at  home  yet. 
I  intend  to  give  up  my  minute  at  our  next  Monthly 
Meeting.  With  love  to  all,  thy  loving  husband, 

J.  S.  E. 

Extract  from  a  letter,  dated  Tenth  month  15,  1881 : 

I  traveled  round  with  our  friends,  Elwood  Dean  and 
Jesse  Dewees,  until  I  saw  them  in  their  own  land,  and 
then  parted  in  the  fellowship  of  the  Gospel.  We  spent 
over  six  weeks  attending  meetings,  in  which  we  were 
favored  with  Divine  support,  and  found  an  open  door 
among  the  people.  W^e  were  in  Berks,  Lycoming  and 
Northampton  counties  of  this  state  and  at  about  six 
meetings  in  Ohio. 

In  sincerity,  thy  friend, 

Joseph  S.  Elkinton. 

First  month  i,  1882.  We  had  a  good  meeting  to-day 
at  Orange  Street.  I  engaged  in  prayer,  it  being  the  first 
time  I  have  appeared  in  vocal  service  in  my  meeting  for 
months.  The  sense  of  the  Good  Master's  presence  was 
very  sweet  and  precious  to  me. 

Extract  from  a  letter  to  Joseph  Stratton,  First  month 
23,  1882: 


192  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i882 

What  a  blessing  it  is  to  have  a  heart  that  is  not  only- 
open,  but  capable  of  appreciating  the  blessings,  temporal 
and  spiritual,  that  are  bestowed  upon  us,  and  to  know 
something  of  thanksgiving  under  a  sense  of  the  Lord's 
mercies.  It  is  one  thing  to  be  witness  of  the  mercies  and 
power  of  the  Most  High  and  another  thing  to  abide  the 
varied  appointments  of  the  Lord  without  murmurings  or 
without  suffering  anything  to  come  between  us  and  our 
Maker.  ''The  Lord  is  my  strength  and  my  song,  and  He 
is  become  my  salvation."  I  hear  thou  art  preparing  for 
a  journey  to  the  West  with  our  dear  friend,  Elwood 
Dean.  May  the  Lord  be  with  you  in  your  going  out  and 
in  your  coming  in,  and  be  your  strength  and  support. 
Remember  the  cold  weather  and  keep  prudence  aboard 
the  ship,  for  it  is  written  that  "Wisdom  does  dwell  with 
prudence."    We  have  bodies  as  well  as  souls. 

Joseph  S.  Elkintox. 

Extract  from  a  letter  to  E.  P.  and  C.  V.  Sellew  at  the 
time  of  the  death  of  one  or  more  of  their  children,  dated 
Philadelphia,  First  month  29,  1882 : 

During  the  past  week  the  expression  of  our  Saviour 
has  been  much  before  me:  "My  soul  is  exceeding  sor- 
rowful," also  "The  cup  which  my  father  hath  given  me, 
shall  I  not  drink  it?"  But  little  did  I  know  of  your  expe- 
rience until  our  friend,  Joseph  Walton,  handed  me  the 
letter  yesterday  which  told  of  your  trials.  I  desire  to 
offer  the  word  of  sympathy  so  far  as  we  are  capable  of 
feeling,  and  am  not  altogether  without  knowing  some- 


Age  52      DIARY  AND   CORRESPONDENCE  193 

thing  whereof  I  speak ;  having  lost  one  child  as  a  father 
I  know  of  the  hold  the  children  have  on  one's  affections. 
I  admired  the  support  with  which  my  dear  wife  was 
favored  on  that  solemn  occasion,  and  that  the  young  may 
be  favored  with  the  streams  of  consolation  from  the 
Author  of  all  good,  who  can  fill  the  blank  which  He 
himself  createth,  is  the  breathing  of  my  spirit.  There  are 
seasons  of  favor  when  our  hearts  turn  toward  our  chil- 
dren and  more  directly  toward  Him  who  gave  them  life 
and  withal  an  immortal  soul.  We  can  bless  his  great 
and  holy  name. 

But  when  a  separation  is  threatened,  to  know  of  that 
resignation  of  which  we  may  have  preached  even  before 
the  congregation,  or  when  the  Great  Creator  and  Disposer 
of  all  things  recalls  his  gifts,  to  be  able  not  only  to  say, 
"Thy  will  be  done,"  but  to  rejoice  that  we  had  such 
offerings  of  the  Lord's  own  preparing  to  oifer,  does 
require  faith  and  an  attainment  of  the  Apostolic  injunc- 
tion, "In  everything  give  thanks,  for  this  is  the  will  of 
God  concerning  you."  We  cannot  tell  what  the  children 
may  have  been  spared  by  their  removal,  nor  what  use 
the  Almighty  designs  for  us  to  make  of  that  time  and 
strength  which,  had  they  lived,  should  have  been  ex- 
pended upon  them ;  only  in  this  we  may  rest  assured,  that 
as  the  anointing  is  with  us  and  in  us,  we  shall  be  taught 
of  the  Lord,  of  his  ways  and  his  will,  as  we  are  able  to 
receive  and  bear  it.  In  sincerity, 

Joseph  S.  Elkinton. 


194  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1882 

First  month.  As  I  was  going  into  Arch  Street  Meeting 
this  morning  a  friend  greeted  me  and  said  he  was  at  Pine 
Street  Meeting  the  day  my  father  first  appeared  in  sup- 
plication which  made  a  great  impression  on  his  mind.  I 
suppose  that  must  have  been  about  fifty-eight  years  ago, 
for  father  did  appear  in  the  ministry  when  a  young  man 
for  a  few  years.  He  occasionally  spoke  in  families,  but 
I  have  no  recollection  of  hearing  him  offer  vocal  service 
in  Meetings  for  Worship.  I  have  no  doubt  his  early 
experience  was  a  good  preparation  for  the  office  of  Elder 
to  which  he  was  appointed  about  the  year  1844. 

Second  month  2^.  In  our  Monthly  jMeeting  for  busi- 
ness, a  minute  was  granted  me  to  hold  public  meetings 
and  perform  other  religious  service  on  Long  Island  as 
Truth  opened  the  way. 

Third  month  3.  Left  home  Third  month  3,  1882,  to 
pay  a  religious  visit  on  Long  Island.  I  met  Edward 
Maris  in  New  York,  and  we  went  direct  to  Flushing, 
L.  I.,  and  were  received  with  marked  kindness  by  Dr. 
Stephen  Wood.  Flushing  is  a  good  deal  to  New  York 
what  Chestnut  Hill  is  to  Philadelphia — a  place  for  the 
wealthy  to  resort,  but  not  very  flourishing  ground  for 
Quakerism.  Dr.  Wood  has  a  fine  collection  of  ancient 
Friends'  works. 

There  is  in  Flushing  an  old  mansion  well  kept  up, 
where  George  Fox  made  his  home  when  he  was  on  the 
island,  and  some  of  his  letters  are  still  there.  An  ancient 
meeting  house,  where  the  Yearly  Meeting  was  once  held, 


Age  52      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  195 

is  still  standing,  and  the  grounds  and  graveyard  appear 
in  creditable  condition.  On  the  8th  we  were  at  Glen 
Cove  College,  where  a  meeting  was  granted  us  with  the 
students,  who  behaved  well.  That  evening  we  had  a 
good  and  satisfactory  meeting  at  Westbury.  Next  morn- 
ing I  called  on  an  aged  Friend  of  ninety-two,  who  was 
bright  in  her  faculties  and  conversed  interestingly.  She 
attended  the  meeting  on  Fifth-day  morning  with  one  of 
her  granddaughters. 

We  traveled  into  Yaphank  and  were  hospitably  and 
creditably  entertained  at  the  County  Poor  House,  which 
institution  is  well  managed ;  about  eighty  inmates  who  do 
a  good  deal  of  farm  work,  basket  making,  etc.  From  that 
institution  we  went  to  a  sort  of  Orphanage,  which  seemed 
more  for  the  poor  of  the  county  under  sixteen  years; 
they  had  a  religious  matron.  The  children  recited  the 
XXIII  Psalm,  and  they  did  a  little  singing,  which  I  had 
no  wish  for  them  to  exercise  on  my  account.  Visited  the 
Indian  school  at  Poosepattach  and  had  some  religious 
service,  and  then  passed  on  through  Moriches  to  South- 
ampton, getting  our  dinner  by  the  way  about  4  P.  M. 
We  rode  through  a  great  deal  of  rain  in  an  open  wagon, 
so  a  little  fire  and  dinner  were  good  for  us.  Arrived 
at  Southampton  in  the  evening  and  made  arrangements 
for  a  meeting  among  the  Presbyterians  for  the  next  eve- 
ning, where  about  two  hundred  were  present.  The  doc- 
trines of  the  atonement,  the  divinity  of  our  Saviour,  the 
inspiration  of  the  Scriptures,  baptism  and  the  doctrine 


196  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1882 

of  the  universal  saving  light  were  all  dwelt  upon.  On 
First-day  two  meetings  were  held  among  the  Indians,  and 
we  visited  perhaps  twenty  of  their  houses  and  had  some 
very  interesting  opportunities  with  them. 

On  my  way  home  from  Long  Island,  I  was  favored 
with  comfortable  feelings. — J.  S.  E. 

Third  month  jo.  At  Monthly  fleeting  to-day  I  re- 
turned my  minute,  telling  Friends  that  I  had  visited  all 
the  places  I  had  in  mind  when  the  minute  was  granted. 
I  had  been  accompanied  by  Edward  Claris,  and  we  had 
been  kindly  received.  A  disposition  was  shov^ai  to  open 
the  way  for  the  prosecution  of  the  concern,  and  public 
meetings  had  been  held,  apparently  to  the  comfort  of 
those  concerned,  and  I  had  been  permitted  to  return  with 
quiet  and  comfortable  feelings. 

^lemorandum  from  Cynthia  Gordon  concerning  her 
daughter : 

Fourth  moxth  8,  1882. 

The  Lord  hath  visited  us  by  death;  He  has  taken  our 
daughter  away.  She  died  yesterday,  about  2  o'clock  in 
the  afternoon,  and  is  to  be  buried  to-morrow,  fleeting 
for  funeral  will  be  at  11  o'clock,  if  nothing  prevents. 

We  have  this  belief — that  she  was  prepared  for  death, 
and  that  she  has  gone  to  be  forever  with  the  redeemed. 
We  noticed  a  change  had  taken  place  in  her  mind  some 
time ;  that  she  was  trying  to  be  the  Lord's  child,  and  was 
comforted  when  she  knew  she  had  been  trying  to  be 
good,  and  that  the  Lord  had  helped  her  to  o\ercome  her 


Age  52      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  197 

sins.  She  had  a  great  love  for  her  brother,  who,  she 
knew,  is  not  trying  to  do  as  he  ought,  and  often  felt 
troubled  on  his  account,  and  would  ask  me  to  talk  to 
him,  encourage  him  to  do  right,  that  we  may  all  meet  in 
heaven. 

Night  before  last,  as  her  father  and  myself  were  sitting 
by  her  bedside,  she  encouraged  me  to  do  all  I  could  for 
her  brother,  that  he  too  might  be  saved  from  everlasting 
punishment;  that  we  may  all  meet  in  heaven,  and  then 
inquired  where  he  was,  and  we  called  him  to  her  bed- 
side, and  she  called  him  by  name  and  addressed  him  with 
these  same  words  above,  with  the  addition  that  "this  is 
not  hard." 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Cynthia  Gordon*  to  R,  S.  Allen : 
Cornplanter's,  Sixth  month  2,  1882. 

Dear  Friend  :  I  have  received  thy  acceptable  letter 
soon  after  date.  In  answer  to  thy  question,  I  will  say 
my  desires  to  be  received  into  membership  with  Friends 
are  the  same.  I  have  no  wish  to  change  my  mind,  for  I 
see  the  truthfulness  of  the  doctrines  and  testimonies  of 
Friends  more  and  more,  and  it  is  my  desire,  day  by  day, 
to  come  clean  out  of  the  ways  of  the  world. 

My  husband  asked  me  the  other  day  what  I  should  do 
if  I  were  not  to  be  received.    "Oh !"  I  said,  "I  could  not 


*Cynthia  Gordon,  a  Seneca  Indian,  a  descendant  of  Corn- 
planter,  eventually  became  a  member  of  the  Alonthly  Meeting  of 
Friends  of  Philadelphia.  She  sustained  an  excellent  character 
among  her  people,  and  during  the  few  remaining  years  of  her 
life  was  in  close  sympathy  with  the  Friends  at  Tunesassa. 


198  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i882 

go  back  to  where  I  had  been ;  I  would  be  a  Quaker  still." 
I  cannot  believe  those  things  again  that  I  used  to  believe, 
nor  do  the  things  that  I  used  to  do,  so  I  do  not  see  how 
I  could  be  otherwise.  My  greatest  object  is  to  belong  to 
the  True  Church  of  Christ,  and  if  I  am  inwardly,  it  does 
not  make  much  difference  if  I  should  not  be  received 
outwardly. 

Sometimes  I  think  I  am  making  too  much  trouble  for 
the  Friends.  I  am  living  so  far  away  from  your  meet- 
ings, and  it  is  adding  to  their  many  cares,  as  I  see  in  the 
pamphlet  about  the  Yearly  Meeting  they  have  much  to 
see  to,  so,  if  it  should  be  rather  a  hard  thing  to  do  with, 
never  mind.  I  think  it  will  be  all  right,  for  the  same 
care  to  be  kept  in  the  right  path  will  always  be  necessary. 

Try  friend, 

Cynthia  Gordon. 

Sixth  month  ij.  I  felt  my  mind  unusually  attracted 
to  the  children  to-day  in  meeting,  although  I  believe  they 
are  always  more  or  less  on  my  mind;  but  as  the  schools 
are  about  to  vacate,  it  is  probable  that  to  some  of  us  it 
might  prove  a  final  parting.  I  desired  a  blessing  on  my 
children  and  the  children  of  others  also.  I  wanted  the 
children  supported  in  their  various  exercises  that  they 
might  be  enabled  to  discharge  their  duties  with  fidelity; 
that  they  might  mind  the  restraining  as  well  as  constrain- 
ing influences,  and  strive  to  conduct  themselves  in  such 
a  way  that  they  could  ask  for  the  divine  blessing,  and 
that  they  might  be  preserved  from  unseen  dangers. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 
Various  Visits  to  Indians  and  Elsewhere. 

Sixth  month  26.  Extract  from  a  letter  to  Clarkson 
Sheppard  from  J.  S.  E. : 

Dear  Friend  Clarkson  Sheppard  :  I  want  some  one 
to  write  an  essay  for  the  invalids  and  those  who  may 
be  in  suffering,  to  picture  a  little  what  visitors  receive  by 
their  bedside,  the  instruction  from  their  conversation,  the 
savor  of  their  spirits  and  the  sense  of  the  presence  of  the 
Saviour.  And  there  is  another  class  to  write  for — those 
who  help  the  workers  behind  the  scene,  and  who  really 
have  no  small  influence  in  moulding  and  developing  the 
characters  of  the  workers.  I  rather  think  that  most  of 
the  marked  men  and  women  before  the  world  are  those 
who  have  been  well  supported  by  their  companions, 
children  or  intimate  friends.  Those  who  give  the  strength 
of  their  spirits  and  their  help  deserve  a  kindly  remem- 
brance. 

If  no  one  would  entertain  or  provide  for  our  families, 
or  attend  to  our  business  in  our  absence,  our  chariot 
wheels  would  drag  much  more  heavily.  One  morning 
my  thoughts  were  running  in  this  line  and  I  thought  I 
must  try  and  write,  so  I  left  my  bed,  dropped  a  few  tears 
and  took  up  the  pen.  I  think  I  did  about  as  well  as  the 
Friend  who  concluded  to  write  a  journal,  so  he  began 

199 


200  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i882 

by  saying  he  was  born  of  godly  parents,  for  he  thought 
he  could  say  that  in  truth ;  then  he  could  write  no  more, 
and  there  he  stopped.  I  thought  I  loved  the  children  and 
wrote  a  few  lines  and  then  I  stopped,  guessing  I  had  bet- 
ter leave  writing  for  those  who  knew  how  to  write.  So 
do  thou  write  on,  for  I  cannot.  I  will  send  thee  what  I 
started  and  thou  canst  see  just  how  I  fetched  up;  it  will 
show  thee  I  had  one  parent  out  in  the  service,  and  I  verily 
believe  that  both  of  my  parents  walked  in  the  Truth  and 
wanted  their  children  to  do  the  same,  but  it  does  not  fol- 
low that  I  will  have  much  success,  either  in  publishing 
the  word  or  in  strengthening  either  the  brethren  or  chil- 
dren. With  love,  J.  S.  E. 

Seventh  month  57.  Came  w^ith  mother  Patterson  to 
the  home  of  John  G.  Haines,  leaving  the  city  on  the  5.30 
train.  After  tea  mother  was  walking  on  the  porch,  look- 
ing at  the  moon,  which  she  thought  had  never  appeared 
more  beautiful.  She  was  also  thinking  of  the  transition 
from  time  to  eternity  of  Abigail  Wood,  when,  not  taking 
heed  to  her  steps,  she  made  a  misstep  and  fell  off  the 
porch,  about  three  feet  to  the  ground,  and  broke  both 
bones  of  the  right  limb  above  the  ankle,  also  the  bone 
of  her  left  arm  near  the  shoulder.  We  speedily  obtained 
Dr.  Newlin  Stokes  from  Moorestown,  and  made  her  as 
comfortable  as  possible  on  a  bed  put  up  for  her  in  the 
parlor.  Dr.  Stokes  wanted  an  experienced  surgeon  from 
the  city,  so  Dr.  Ashhurst  and  a  nurse  came  from  the  city 


Age  52      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  201 

next  morning.  IMother's  sufferings  were  intense.  Ether 
was  administered,  which  had  the  happy  effect  of  not  only 
releasing  her  from  the  pain  for  the  time  being,  but  she 
seemed  to  be  in  a  state  of  melody,  bringing  out  some 
Scriptural  passages  in  a  very  melodious  manner.  It  is  a 
very  serious  dispensation  to  us  and  hard  to  bear  to  see 
mother  so  broken  up,  but  a  great  favor  that  she  seems  so 
self-possessed,  no  murmuring;  says  she  cannot  ask  why 
it  should  be  permitted,  but  supposes  there  must  be  some 
good  purpose  intended. 

Eleventh  month  6.  Near  the  close  of  the  Quarterly 
Meeting  held  to-day  at  Arch  Street,  my  son  Joseph  spoke 
in  the  line  of  the  ministry,  the  subject-matter  being  in 
the  line  of  an  address  to  the  shepherds,  that  they  might 
stand  and,  through  the  help  of  Him  who  is  all  sufficient, 
be  able  to  minister  to  the  needs  of  the  flock. 

Testimony  of  Joseph  Elkinton,  in  the  twenty-sixth 
year  of  his  age,  at  Philadelphia  Quarterly  Meeting  Elev- 
enth month  6,  1882: 

"Ye  watchmen  who  stand  upon  the  walls,  who  cannot 
cry  peace  in  time  of  war,  hold  fast  your  faith  in  confi- 
dence :  fear  not,  nor  be  dismayed,  though  the  enemy  come 
in  like  a  flood ;  neither  cast  aside  your  shields  as  if  they 
had  not  been  anointed,  for  the  Lord  will  have  the  victory 
in  his  own  time,  and  his  banner  shall  yet  be  exalted. 
Verily,  he  knoweth  those  who  stand  in  the  gap  and  can- 
not hold  their  peace  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake." 


202  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i882 

Eleventh  moxth  14,  1882. 
Cynthia  Gordon, 

Dear  Friend:  My. thoughts  have  often  been  with  thee 
since  we  saw  each  other  last  summer,  with  fervent  de- 
sires for  thy  welfare  in  ever}^  way.  No  doubt  thou  hast 
thy  trials  in  life,  and  the  necessary  cares  may  be  pretty 
heavy  sometimes;  but  when  our  Heavenly  Father  is 
pleased  to  favor  us  with  a  sense  of  his  love  and  good- 
ness, then  hard  things  are  made  easy,  and  we  can  even 
go  and  rejoice  on  our  way.  My  mother-in-law  met  with 
a  bad  accident  soon  after  we  returned  from  our  visit  to 
Tunesassa,  breaking  three  bones,  but  she  is  now  able 
to  walk  about  the  room  a  little,  and  we  hope  she  will  get 
out  again  among  her  friends.  I  am  glad  that  the  knowl- 
edge of  thy  being  a  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends 
makes  thee  feel  happy,  and  if  we  keep  to  the  principles 
and  practices  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  I  believe  we  shall 
be  truly  happy  in  this  world  and  in  that  world  which  is 
to  come.    With  love  to  thyself,  husband  and  son. 

Joseph  S.  Elkinton. 

First  month  5,  i88j.  Taking  a  copy  of  the  "Selections 
from  the  Writings  of  William  Penn''  to  the  Seaman's 
Home,  I  had  a  very  interesting  conversation  with  the 
secretary,  and  was  pleased  to  find  they  were  in  the  way 
of  keeping  up  small  libraries  of  selected  books  to  place 
on  board  of  vessels  and  to  exchange  them  from  time  to 
time. 

First  month  6.    William  P.  Townsend  called  this  morn- 


Age  52      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  203 

ing  and,  in  course  of  conversation,  told  me  that  during 
the  war,  when  the  southern  army  entered  Pennsylvania, 
Ebenezer  Worth  prayed  that  it  might  not  be  permitted 
to  come  east  of  the  Susquehanna,  and  he  vowed  that  if 
they  were  turned  back  upon  their  own  land,  he  would 
give  his  corn  crop  to  the  poor,  which  he  faithfully  ful- 
filled, sending  $2,000  to  the  suffering  in  Southern  States. 

Second  month  i.  I  think  we  were  favored  in  our 
meeting  at  Arch  Street  with  a  spirit  of  tenderness,  and 
I  was  engaged  in  supplication,  desiring  we  might  be 
helped  from  on  high. 

Third  month  12.  This  afternoon  I  went  with  brother 
Thomas  out  to  Media  to  see  the  house  he  has  been  build- 
ing there  for  a  summer  residence. 

Fourth  month.  About  the  first  of  this  month  I  rented 
a  house  at  248  South  Third  street  for  the  purpose  of 
making  a  temporary  home  for  Friends  visiting  this  city, 
and  have  been  busily  engaged  in  getting  it  equipped.  I 
hope  there  may  be  something  of  a  Divine  blessing  to 
attend  it. 

Sixth  month  8.  Jonathan  E.  Rhoads  called  on  me 
to-day,  stating  he  had  obtained  a  minute  from  his 
Monthly  Meeting,  liberating  him  to  appoint  public  meet- 
ings within  the  limits  of  Salem  Quarterly  Meeting,  New 
Jersey,  and  he  came  to  ask  me  to  join  him. 

Sixth  month  28.  Obtained  a  minute  from  my  Monthly 
Meeting,  liberating  me  to  accompany  Jonathan  E.  Rhoads 
in  the  service  in  southern  Xew  Jersey. 


204  JOSEPH   S.   EI.KINTON  i883 

Tenth  month  5.  I  gave  up  my  minute  last  Fifth-day 
week,  and  Jonathan  E.  Rhoads  gave  up  his  day  before 
yesterday,  and  in  each  of  our  Monthly  Meetings  satis- 
faction was  expressed  with  our  reports.  We  had  been 
pretty  well  over  the  southern  part  of  New  Jersey,  and 
found  openness  in  the  people.  We  were  accommodated 
with  meeting  houses  and  entertained  with  marked  hos- 
pitality; and  what  was  more  than  all  else,  we  were  sup- 
ported in  our  engagements,  although  at  times  it  was  in 
physical  weakness  that  we  pursued  the  concern.  One 
First-day  we  attended  three  meetings  and  traveled  some 
thirty-five  miles  in  carriages. 

First  month  20.  Attended  the  morning  meeting  at 
Reading,  in  company  with  William  U.  Ditzler  and  El- 
hanan  Zook,  and  it  was  a  season  of  favor.  In  the  after- 
noon we  went  to  the  prison,  where  we  had  engaged  to 
hold  a  meeting  with  the  prisoners  at  2  P.  M.  and  where 
the  following  interest  incident  took  place,  which  I  will 
quote  from  a  memorial  of  William  U.  Ditzler:  "While 
engaged  in  preaching  to  the  assembled  prisoners  at 
Reading,  Pa.,  several  men  and  women  from  the  town 
being  also  present,  he  made  some  attempts  to  use  his 
customary  expression,  'My  brethren  and  sisters,'  but  felt 
a  stop  in  his  mind  before  reaching  the  word  'sisters.'  In 
one  instance  near  the  end  he  succeeded  in  saying,  'My 
brethren  and  sister,'  but  was  prevented  by  the  same  check 
from  uttering  the  last  of  the  words  in  the  plural  as  'sis- 
ters.'   At  the  close  of  the  meeting  several  who  knew,  as 


Age  54      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  205 

he  did  not,  that  among  the  four  hundred  in  the  audience, 
some  of  them  women,  there  was  but  one  female  prisoner, 
expressed  their  admiration  at  his  preservation  in  the 
Truth.  His  only  explanation  could  be  that  it  was  simply 
by  minding  his  Guide." 

First  month  30,  1884.  I  attended  Twelfth  Street 
Meeting,  and  felt  it  my  place  to  appear  in  supplication, 
although  the  meeting  was  getting  long.  In  the  course 
of  my  offering  I  craved  that  those  who  cared  for  and 
prescribed  for  the  sick  should  be  favored  with  judg- 
ment, and  that  all  might  be  supported  in  the  discharge 
of  their  responsibilities ;  to  be  preserved  from  being  car- 
ried off  the  foundation,  or  to  a  disinclination  to  gather 
inward  to  the  place  of  true  waiting.  I  heard  after  meet- 
ing that  one  of  their  members  had  a  very  narrow  escape 
from  death  whilst  under  the  influence  of  ether  during 
an  operation.  On  finding  he  was  apparently  sinking,  they 
used  great  exertion  and  active  measures  to  revive  him 
and  finally  succeeded,  but  it  was  a  very  serious  case. 

Second  month  4.  In  the  second  or  business  meeting 
of  our  Quarterly  Meeting,  a  new  appointment  of  a  West 
Philadelphia  Meeting  Committee  was  made,  whereby  I 
was  released.  I  had  been  on  that  committee  five  years, 
and  was  interested  in  the  meeting,  and  believe  I  endeav- 
ored to  discharge  my  duty  there  to  the  best  of  my  knowl- 
edge, which  affords  me  comfort  in  the  retrospect. 

Second  month  10.  At  our  meeting  at  Orange  Street, 
as  I  entered  the  Meeting  House  it  seemed  to  me  that  we 


206  JOSEPH  S.   ELKINTON  i884 

would  have  the  ^Master  with  us,  and  I  was  led  to  speak 
of  the  favor  it  is  to  be  covered  with  an  overshadowing 
sense  of  Divine  goodness  and  feel  the  Saviour's  pres- 
ence ;  and  I  had  an  opening  on  the  language  of  our 
Saviour  to  Peter,  "I  give  unto  thee  the  key  of  the  king- 
dom of  heaven."  It  was  the  sight  and  sense  he  had  of 
Jesus  being  the  son  of  the  living  God,  and  this  hold  on 
the  Saviour  is  that  which  stands  us  instead,  that  we  may 
be  built  on  Christ  Jesus,  the  Rock  of  Ages,  on  whom  the 
Church  is  to  be  built,  and  the  living  members  of  the 
Church  are  those  who  are  rightly  grounded  in  the  truth 
as  it  is  in  Jesus ;  to  know  Him  and  to  be  revealed  unto 
them,  as  He  was  unto  Peter. 

In  the  afternoon  meeting  I  was  engaged  in  supplica- 
tion, that  if  consistent  with  the  Divine  will,  we  might  be 
favored  with  a  greater  measure  of  life  and  power,  and 
that  He  who  could  cause  the  mind  to  blow  upon  the  dry 
bones,  and  who  could  breathe  at  his  pleasure,  might 
breathe  on  us  and  gather  us. 

Third  month  21.  At  our  Meetings  for  Sufferings,  a 
clear  statement  of  the  "Charleston  Fund"  was  read, 
showing  how  a  grant  was  first  made  by  the  King  through 
the  Governor  of  South  Carolina  to  Thomas  Kimberly  and 
others  for  a  tract  of  land  for  a  meeting  house.  T.  K. 
conveyed  it  to  trustees,  for  the  purpose  originally  granted, 
some  of  whom  died,  and  the  property  was  held  by  one 
trustee  for  a  long  time,  but  through  the  labors  of  Friends 
of  Philadelphia,  at  the  request  of  Friends  of  London,  it 


Age  54     DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  207 

was   redeemed  and   conveyed  to  trustees  appointed  by 
Philadelphia  Yearly  Meeting. 

At  one  time,  however,  it  was  in  the  hands  of  trustees 
appointed  by  North  Carolina  Yearly  Meeting,  but  by 
decision  or  request  of  that  Yearly  Meeting  it  was  recon- 
veyed  to  trustees  appointed  by  Philadelphia  Yearly 
Meeting,  and  by  their  influence  an  act  was  obtained  from 
the  legislature  of  South  Carolina,  allowing  some  of  the 
accrued  income  to  be  expended  for  building,  furnishing 
and  supporting  Meeting  Houses  in  any  part  of  the  United 
States.  One-third  of  the  income  has  been  expended  in 
assisting  Meeting  Houses  in  the  limits  of  North  Carolina 
Yearly  Meeting. 

Third  month  2Q.  Went  to  Cape  May  to  recruit  a  little, 
my  system  being  run  down.  Went  to  the  house  kept  by 
Henry  Sawyer,  who  was  a  man  in  whom  I  had  become 
interested.  H.  S.  had  had  the  opportunities  of  knowing 
the  miseries  of  war,  having  been  in  many  engagements. 
He  had  been  shot  through  the  body,  one  bullet  supposed 
to  be  still  in  him.  He  was  a  prisoner  nine  months  in  Libby 
prison,  during  which  time  an  act  of  retaliation  was  de- 
cided upon  because  of  two  men  having  been  executed 
under  the  direction  of  General  Burnside  for  recruiting 
men  in  the  northern  line  for  the  southern  army,  so  it  was 
concluded  to  execute  two  captains,  prisoners  in  Libby 
prison,  Henry  Sawyer  being  one  of  the  two  drafted  to  be 
thus  put  to  death.  He  was  allowed,  however,  to  write 
to  his  wife,  telling  her  of  his  sentence  and  inviting  her  to 


208  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i884 

come  and  see  him.  The  letter  was  shown  to  President 
Lincohi,  who  sent  word  to  the  confederate  authorities, 
by  flag  of  truce,  that  General  Butler  had  orders  that 
whenever  information  (official  or  unofficial)  came  to 
them  of  the  killing  of  Captain  Sawyer  and  his  comrade, 
to  execute  a  son  of  General  Lee  and  also  one  of  the 
generals  who  were  prisoners  at  that  time.  This  put  a 
stop  to  the  affair  and  an  exchange  was  afterwards  made, 
liberating  H.  Sawyer  and  his  comrade.  I  asked  H.  S. 
if  he  were  not  about  ready  to  conclude  that  the  welfare 
of  mankind  would  be  promoted  by  the  adoption  of  peace- 
able principles?  He  replied,  "If  mankind  would  be 
governed  by  their  conviction  of  right,  we  would  have 
a  better  time  of  it." 

Fifth  month  24.  Having  rented  a  house  at  Malvern 
for  the  summer,  went  there  with  my  dear  wife,  having 
obtained  a  special  car  for  her  comfort.  Dr.  McCollin, 
the  nurse,  and  son  William  also  accompanied  her,  brother 
Thomas  being  very  helpful  in  making  the  ride  to  the 
station  as  comfortable  as  possible. 

Sixth  month  11.  Attended  the  marriage  of  my  son 
Joseph  with  Sarah  W.  Passmore,  at  Concord  Meeting 
House.  About  sixty  of  us  went  from  the  city  in  a  special 
train  to  Concord,  where  we  were  suitably  provided  with 
conveyances.  The  Meeting  House  was  pretty  well  filled, 
and  the  occasion  vv^as  a  favored  one,  very  soon  gathering 
into  a  solemnity  under  which  Richard  Esterbrook  spoke, 
and  in  the  course  of  it  alluded  to  how  we  were  favored 


Age  54      DIARY  AND   CORRESPONDENCE  209 

with  the  presence  of  the  Lord,  and  closed  his  communi- 
cation with  speaking  of  the  marriage  supper  of  the  Lamb. 
Joseph  and  Sarah  spoke  as  if  they  had  a  sense  of  what 
they  were  undertaking,  and  could  be  heard.  The  certifi- 
cate was  then  signed  and  read,  after  which  Elizabeth  R. 
Evans  commenced  her  communication  with  "Be  ye  one 
another's  helpers  in  the  Lord,"  and  spoke  of  the  need 
the  Church  had  for  laborers.  Clarkson  Sheppard  spoke 
of  the  Lord's  covenant  being  with  the  night  as  with  the 
day,  and  he  revived  the  language,  "As  the  eagle  stirreth 
up  her  nest  and  fluttereth  over  her  young,  beareth  them 
on  her  wings,  so  the  Lord  did  lead  His  people,  and  there 
was  no  strange  God  amongst  them."  Deborah  Rhoads 
was  engaged  in  prayer  that  had  a  baptizing,  solemnizing 
influence,  a  feeling  of  unusual  weight  ensuing,  under  a 
sense  of  which  the  meeting  separated.  At  the  house  of 
entertainment  we  had  a  very  pleasant  time,  a  season  of 
real  enjoyment. 

Sixth  month  22.  My  son  Joseph  and  his  wife  returned 
to  the  city  last  evening,  from  Wernersville,  and  were  at 
meeting  to-day;  it  was  very  pleasant  to  have  them  with 
us,  and  I  feel  there  is  cause  for  thankfulness  in  that  our 
little  band  is  strengthened  by  this  marriage. 

At  a  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends  of  Philadelphia,  held  Eighth 
month  2^,   1884: 

Our  beloved  friend,  Joseph  S.  Elkinton,  informed  this  Meeting 
that,  being  under  appointment  of  the  Committee  of  the  Yearly 
Meeting  to  visit  some  of  the  Seneca  Indians  under  the  care  of 
that  Meeting,  he  had  felt  that  it  might  now  be  right  to  hold  a 


210  JOSEPH   S.   EIvKINTON  i884 

few  public  metings  in  southwestern  New  York,  a  concern  which 
he  had  felt  for  some  years.  The  prospect  claiming  our  deliberate 
consideration,  sympathy  and  unity  with  him  were  expressed,  and 
he  was  set  at  liberty  to  perform  the  service  as  best  wisdom  may 
open  the  way,  he  being  a  minister  in  unity  with  us. 

A  copy  of  this  minute  is  directed  to  be  furnished  him  and 
signed  on  our  behalf. 

Taken  from  the  minutes. 

George  J.  Scatteegood,  Clerk. 

Eighth  month  2p.  Left  Malvern  on  the  7.14  train  for 
Frazer,  where  I  was  joined  by  our  friend,  George  J. 
Scattergood.  We  then  proceeded  on  our  journey  to  New 
York  State  to  visit  the  Indians  under  the  care  of  our 
Committee,  and  also  to  hold  a  few  public  meetings  in  the 
southwestern  part  of  the  state.  It  was  a  pleasant  day, 
and  we  enjoyed  the  scenery. 

Eighth  month  jo.  On  our  arrival  at  Warren,  called 
on  Judge  Johnson  in  regard  to  the  leasing  of  their  lands 
by  the  Indians  to  the  whites.  He  said  the  offers  made 
to  the  Indians  were  so  insufficient  that  he  had  discour- 
aged the  Indians,  who  had  conferred  with  him,  from 
making  any  leases  without  submitting  them  to  his  judg- 
ment. He  said  they  should  be  drawn  by  a  proper  person. 
There  had  been  an  oil  well  opened  up  a  few  miles  from 
Warren,  towards  Cornplanter's,  that  was  said  to  yield 
one  hundred  barrels  an  hour. 

As  we  were  about  to  leave  Warren  to  go  up  to  the 
reservation,  we  met  four  men  at  the  station  who  had 
been  trying  to  raise  money  to  build  a  new  Meeting  House 
at  Cornplanter  by  holding  concerts.     I  had  some  con- 


Age  54      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  211 

versation  with  two  of  them  as  to  whether  it  would  not 
be  better  to  raise  money  for  such  purposes  by  direct 
contributions,  or  to  wait  until  they  could  spare  from  the 
fruit  of  their  own  labor. 

Enjoyed  the  ride  up  the  Allegheny  river  from  Warren, 
which  was  new  ground  and  scenery  to  me.  Through 
courtesy,  the  train  was  stopped  for  us  at  Johnny  Cake 
station,  opposite  the  reservation.  We  proceeded  to 
Cynthia  Gordon's  home,  where  we  had  a  good  dinner, 
after  which  we  went  to  the  school  house,  where  the 
company  gathered  was  not  large,  but  we  availed  our- 
selves of  the  opportunity  afforded  to  set  forth  the  object 
of  our  visit  and  to  give  the  views  of  our  Committee  in 
reference  to  the  inexpediency  of  their  leasing  their  lands 
for  oil  purposes.  Amongst  the  evils  of  such  a  course 
was  the  introduction  of  a  loose  character  of  people,  whose 
influence  would  be  exceedingly  injurious  to  the  morals 
of  their  people,  and  they  would  be  likely  never  to  regain 
possession  of  their  lands.  We  had  an  exercising  but 
interesting  opportunity  and  Avere  heard  with  attention. 
Some  reply  was  made  by  which  it  appeared  that  what 
we  had  laid  before  them  had  been  kindly  received.  Susan 
O.  Bail,  a  daughter-in-law  of  Chief  Cornplanter,  who  is 
now  about  ninety  years  old,  and  one  of  the  ancient  type 
of  Indians,  appeared  quite  roused  in  her  spirit.  She  said 
the  Quakers  had  always  been  the  friends  of  the  Indians, 
and  she  was  glad  we  had  come  out,  and  she  would  have 
her  grandchildren  mind  what  had  been  said.     We  had 


212  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i884 

reason  to  believe  that  two  who  had  leased  their  land 
to  the  w^hites  were  sorry.  We  pleaded  with  them  not  to 
let  go  their  hold  on  their  possessions,  both  for  their  own 
sakes  and  that  of  their  children.  We  received  a  hearty 
welcome  and  found  no  sickness  at  the  institution  at 
Tunesassa. 

Eighth  month  ji.  First-day  afternoon  Aaron  P. 
Dewees  went  wnth  me  to  see  the  Indians,  who  were 
engaged  in  playing  ball.  I  saw  as  active  a  scene  of  ball 
playing  as  I  had  ever  before  witnessed.  Aaron  said  if 
they  would  only  work  as  they  were  then  playing,  he 
would  get  the  reserv^ation  under  tillage  before  long. 
About  forty  men  and  boys  w^ere  engaged  in  the  play, 
and  about  seven  squads  of  women  and  babies  were  ob- 
served on  the  outskirts  of  the  field.  Alost  of  the  men 
were  dressed  up  about  as  fantastic  as  Indians  might  be 
expected  to  dress  themselves.  One  man's  trousers  seemed 
to  be  made  on  one  side  of  red  flannel  and  the  other  side 
yellow  flannel,  and  a  big  square  patch  behind.  Some  had 
one  stocking  of  one  color  and  the  other  stocking  of 
another  color,  and  some  no  stockings  at  all,  and  each 
with  a  paddle  of  network  with  which  he  could  catch 
and  sling  a  ball  a  great  distance,  and  there  was  much 
striving  to  get  the  ball  or  knock  the  paddle  from  one 
another,  accompanied  by  a  trip  and  perhaps  a  complete 
somersault.  This  with  feathers  and  caps,  old  hats,  etc., 
made  the  scene  picturesque.  But  it  was  not  my  errand, 
exactly,  to  simply  see  the  show.  So  I  first  had  a  talk  with 


Age  54      DIARY   AND    CORRESPONDENCE  213 

one  of  the  councillors,  and  told  him  instead  of  employ- 
ing the  First- day  of  the  week  in  that  way,  I  wanted  that 
day  used  for  better  account.  Next  I  asked  him  who  was 
head  man  in  the  place.  Being  referred  to  Simon  Black- 
chief,  I  went  to  him  and  asked  for  a  hearing  from  all  the 
players.  So  the  sound  went  forth  in  Indian  fashion,  and 
they  gathered  round  me,  when  I  relieved  my  mind,  taking 
the  opportunity  to  state  how  that  some  of  these  men  had 
been  induced  to  go  with  parties  as  play  actors  and  had 
gotten  into  trouble.  I  did  not  know  it  then,  but  was 
afterward  told  that  Simon  Blackchief,  the  boss,  had  sev- 
eral times  gone  off  as  an  actor.  Having  been  given  a 
respectful  hearing,  we  withdrew  and  returned  in  time 
for  tea. 

I  do  not  know  that  it  is  any  worse  for  Indians  to  in- 
dulge in  their  games  on  First-day  afternoons  than  for 
the  college  students  to  indulge  in  their  theatrical  per- 
formances ;  both  are  to  be  deplored. 

Ninth  month  i.  After  breakfast  Aaron  P.  Dewees 
and  I  went  in  a  buggy  to  Onoville  to  see  about  getting 
an  appointed  meeting.  It  was  eight  miles,  and  when  we 
came  to  a  place  having  the  reputation  of  being  a  hard 
place,  a  good  deal  of  drinking,  etc.,  we  drove  round  and 
spied  a  dilapidated  looking  man  with  a  bandage  over  his 
eye  and  his  nose  and  face  badly  swollen,  but  being  drawn 
to  him,  I  addressed  him  and  found  the  poor  creature  in 
a  good  deal  of  trouble,  having  a  daughter  lying  at  the 
point  of  death.    He  was  much  affected  on  account  of  it. 


214  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1884 

He  said,  "This  is  a  hard  place,  and  I  have  seen  many  hard 
things  in  my  time  and  not  very  old  either,  but  we  must 
think  of  our  end  some  time."  I  asked  him  if  he  thought 
the  people  of  the  place  would  meet  with  a  stranger.  He 
said,  "We  are  most  all  Catholics,  but  they  would  meet  you 
in  the  school  house." 

We  made  arrangements  for  an  appointed  meeting  on 
Sixth-day  evening.  I  could  not  find  a  boat  to  take  me 
across  the  river,  so  Aaron  had  to  drive  me  across  with 
his  colt.  It  had  never  gone  through  the  river  before  and 
the  question  was,  how  would  it  behave?  Aaron  was  a 
little  anxious,  but  I  told  him  if  he  kept  that  colt  he 
would  expect  it  to  go  through  some  time  and  it  might  as 
\ve\\  begin  now.  On  the  other  side  of  the  river  I  joined 
George  J.  Scattergood,  and  with  Cynthia  Gordon  as  inter- 
preter, when  necessary,  we  proceeded  to  visit  some  of 
the  natives  in  their  homes,  returning  to  Tunesassa  in  the 
evening. 

Ninth  month  2.  Attended  the  funeral  of  Jeft'erson 
Halftown,  about  thirty-five  years  of  age,  and  who  had 
died  of  consumption.  He  had  embraced  the  Christian 
religion  and  was  sincere  in  his  profession.  The  com- 
pany gathered  in  slowly,  Indian  fashion,  until  it  became 
a  pretty  large  funeral — the  women  sitting  on  one  side 
and  the  men  on  the  other,  about  filling  the  seats,  while 
there  were  squads  of  men  lying  outside  on  the  grass. 
One  old  man  did  some  smoking,  and  some  who  sat  near 
me   I   judge  had   done   some   before   they   came   there. 


Age  54      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  215 

After  their  service  I  had  an  opportunity  to  express  my- 
self and  pleaded  with  them  to  strive  to  do  better  in  im- 
proving the  condition  of  their  people.  The  council  house 
is  new  and  the  women  made  a  genteel  appearance. 

In  the  afternoon  the  Indians  assembled  again  at  the 
council  house  and  the  agent  arrived  about  3  o'clock  to 
enter  upon  the  annuity  business.  The  storekeeper  also 
came  with  his  clerk  with  accounts  against  the  Indians  for 
goods  purchased  on  trust  during  the  year.  After  some 
preliminaries,  getting  tables,  seats  and  fixing  the  money, 
which  was  spread  out,  the  people  gathered  round  and 
operations  began.  It  was  announced  there  had  been  one 
hundred  and  fifteen  deaths  and  one  hundred  and  one 
births  during  the  year.  The  names  of  the  families  and 
individuals  and  their  ages  were  called  and  received  their 
respective  annuities.  The  amount  paid  was  about  $4.05 
to  adults  and  half  that  to  the  children.  After  witnessing 
the  operations  within  doors,  I  went  out  to  ease  my  limbs 
a  little,  for  the  benches  in  the  council  house  are  not  after 
the  most  approved  fashion.  An  Indian  was  killed  on  the 
railroad  yesterday.    We  may  attend  the  funeral. 

Ninth  month  j.  We  are  again  at  the  council  house. 
There  are  present  about  thirty  women,  a  few  babies  and 
forty  men  inside  and  as  many  more  on  the  outside.  One 
great  big  man  has  been  smoking  and  about  smoked 
G.  J.  S.  out  of  doors,  and  if  it  continues  I  will  have  to 
go  before  long.  The  agent  and  his  assistants  are  busy 
and  the  storekeeper  is  taking  in  his  money.     So  it  goes. 


216  JOSEPH   S.   EI.KINTON  1884 

I  had  to  go  out  into  the  fresh  air.  I  told  George  J. 
Scattergood  that  the  shade  under  a  tree  looked  inviting, 
and  I  believed  I  w^ould  take  a  nap,  for  there  was  a  fune- 
ral to  attend  directly.  He  suggested  I  might  do  the  most 
service  by  napping  it  near  the  beer  wagon  that  was  on 
the  grounds,  about  which  George  was  concerned  both 
yesterday  and  to-day.  I  thought  the  best  way  would  be 
for  us  to  ask  the  agent  to  clear  out  the  peddlers  of  all 
kinds.  But  one  thing  was  evident — while  G.  J.  S.  stood 
around  and  I  lay  under  the  shade  of  a  tree  against  a 
stump  where  the  beer  wagon  was,  there  was  not  much 
drinking.  G.  J.  S.,  however,  was  under  concern  and 
tried  to  get  an  interpreter,  but  no  one  wanted  to  under- 
take it.  The  recess  being  announced  for  the  agent  and 
his  assistants,  out  came  Chester  Lay,  a  good  square- 
hearted  Indian,  and  he  was  persuaded  to  interpret,  and 
George  delivered  what  I  suppose  some  would  call  a 
gospel  temperance  sermon.  He  told  them  there  was  no 
use  in  spending  their  money  for  liquor  when  they 
could  get  good  spring  water  nearby  for  nothing.  The 
Indians  gathered  around  us  and  the  peddlers  showed  no 
resentment.  "When  the  sermon  was  ended,"  like  the 
fishes  we  read  of  in  St.  Anthony's  sermon,  "they  all 
turned  and  descended,"  most  likely  all  preferring  their 
own  way.  We  now  thought  it  time  to  go  over  to  the 
funeral  of  Charley  Bigkettle,  who  was  killed  on  the 
railroad. 

Ninth  month  4.    Fifth-day.    Attended  meeting  at  the 


Age  54      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  217 

school.  We  expect  to  hold  appointed  meetings  in  Go- 
wanda  and  Dunkirk  on  First-day  afternoon  and  Second- 
day  evening;  and  we  shall  hardly  feel  easy  not  to  stop 
on  the  Cattaraugus  Reservation  and  meet  some  of  them 
in  council  before  returning  home. 

Ninth  month  i6.  At  a  stated  meeting  of  the  Indian 
Committee,  the  report  of  the  committee  appointed  to 
visit  the  Indians  at  Cornp'ianter's  and  other  such  service 
as  might  seem  in  place  was  read  and  was  satisfactory. 

Tenth  month  jo.  In  the  business  portion  of  our 
Monthly  Meeting  I  opened  my  concern  by  stating  that 
some  years  ago  I  had  mentioned  a  prospect  for  religious 
service  among  the  colored  people  of  this  city,  for  which 
at  that  time  the  meeting  hardly  felt  prepared  to  liberate 
me,  but  I  was  now  encouraged  to  revive  it.  I  felt  that 
time  was  passing,  and  that  I  had  the  physical  ability, 
and  whilst  it  would  be  a  relief  to  get  from  under  the 
concern,  yet  I  would  rather  it  would  remain  as  it  was 
than  to  engage  in  it  without  the  the  meeting  was  satisfied ; 
but  I  felt  it  right  to  hold  myself  open  to  visit  that  people 
in  and  around  this  city  in  their  meeting  houses,  institu- 
tions and  in  their  homes  to  a  limited  extent,  which  I  sub- 
mitted to  the  meeting.  After  a  time  of  silence  there  was 
a  pretty  general  expression  of  encouragement  to  proceed 
in  the  matter  and  a  minute  was  accordingly  made.  Jona- 
than E.  Rhoads  expressed  a  willingness  to  join  in  the 
proposed    visit    amongst    the    colored    people    and    was 


218  JOSEPH   S.   EIvKINTON  iS84 

granted  a  minute,  liberating  him  for  the  service,  by  his 
Monthly  Meeting. 

We  commenced  our  service  among  the  colored  people 
by  holding  a  meeting  at  the  Home  for  the  Aged  and 
Infirm  on  Forty-fourth  street,  above  Lancaster  avenue, 
which  was  held  to  satisfaction  on  Eleventh  month  6, 
1884. 

Eleventh  month  i8.  The  long  rough  rides  to  the  out- 
lying graveyards  need  to  be  looked  into.  If  better  means 
could  be  provided,  it  would  be  a  great  relief,  for  it  is 
severe  in  cold  weather.  If  a  meeting  house,  economically 
constructed,  could  be  built  on  the  part  of  the  burying 
ground  lately  purchased  by  our  ^Monthly  Meeting  and 
suitable  conveyances  thereto  from  the  railway  stations 
so  that  the  funerals  might  meet  in  the  meeting  house  it 
would  be  a  great  advantage. 

Eleventh  month  2"/.  J.  Bevan  Braithwaite  dined  with 
us  and  was  interesting  in  conversation.  He  asked  for  a 
religious  opportunity  after  the  close  of  the  meal,  and  we 
retired  into  the  sitting-room.  He  certainly  was  in  a 
kindly  spirit  and,  in  addressing  us,  brought  out  some 
beautiful  passages  from  Isaiah.  "Behold  I  will  lay  thy 
foundations  with  sapphire,  thy  windows  with  agates, 
thy  gates  with  carbuncles,  and  all  thy  corners  with  pleas- 
ant stones."  "Thy  children  shall  be  all  taught  of  Me 
and  great  shall  be  the  peace  of  thy  children." 

Third  month  22,  1883.  Attended  the  last  of  the  public 
meetings  in  which  Jonathan  E.  Rhoads  and  I  have  been 


Age  55      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  219 

engaged  for  the  past  four  or  five  months,  in  the  pursu- 
ance of  which  prospect  we  have  abundant  cause  to  com- 
memorate the  goodness  of  the  Lord  in  making  way  for 
us,  as  also  in  supporting  us  in  our  Hne  of  labor. 

Third  month  26.  Gave  up  my  minute  to  the  Monthly 
Meeting  to-day,  stating  that  having  pursued  the  prospect 
for  which  I  had  been  liberated  in  the  Tenth  month  last, 
to  the  peace  and  comfort  of  my  own  mind,  and  having 
been  joined  by  Jonathan  E.  Rhoads,  we  had  visited  the 
colored  people  in  all  their  places  of  worship,  so  far  as  I 
knew  of  their  whereabouts,  as  far  north  as  Germantov\-n 
and  Frankford,  and  had  many  interesting  religious  oppor- 
tunities, not  only  in  their  meetings  but  also  in  some  of 
their  houses. 

Fourth  month  zj.  This  day  I  am  fifty-five  years  of 
age  and  my  wife  forty-nine.  Time  is  passing  on,  and 
as  it  has  passed  we  have  seen  many  vicissitudes  and  par- 
taken of  many  mercies.  Whilst  I  have  not  been  a  strong 
man  in  any  way,  yet  I  trust  I  ha\-e  had  a  little  service  in 
my  day,  and  I  hope  for  our  children  that  they  may  be 
enabled  to  serve  the  Lord  in  their  day  and  generation. 

Fifth  month  5.  Went  with  Hannah  Stratton  and  her 
companion  to  the  Eastern  Penitentiary,  and  had  a  relig- 
ious opportunity  in  each  of  the  corridors,  eight  in  number. 
It  was  the  usual  custom  for  about  eight  preachers  and 
their  assistants  to  assemble  at  9  A.  M.,  First-day  morn- 
ings, in  the  centre  of  the  building  and  then  be  apportioned 
to  the  different  corridors  for  about  an  hour,  to  engage 


220  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i885 

in  their  religious  exercises,  and  then  assemble  in  the 
centre  to  sing  together  before  they  dispersed. 

Extract  from  a  letter  by  J.  S.  E.,  dated  Fifth  month  26, 
1885: 

It  is  not  possible  for  us  to  be  brought  through  great 
tribulations  if  we  are  not  first  brought  into  them. 

No  temptation,  however,  has  fallen  unto  us  but  what 
is  common  to  man,  but  with  every  temptation  there  is 
a  door  of  escape;  and  in  your  particular  I  would  like  it 
to  be  with  as  little  damage  to  your  vessels  and  with  as 
little  wounding  of  the  body  as  will  serve  the  purpose. 
Secret  griefs  are  sometimes  harder  to  bear  than  being 
engaged  in  the  conflict,  but  they  may  be  our  cup  to  par- 
take of.  Those  of  us  who  speak  before  the  people  occupy 
a  position  that  makes  it  seem  emphatically  important  to 
know  of  the  holy  composure  and  of  a  godly  measure  of 
the  anointing  that  we  may  see  clearly  how  to  move,  as 
well  as  how  to  lie  on  our  oars.  In  times  of  commotion 
it  is  a  great  deal  to  know  self  to  be  silenced,  and  to 
arrive  at  the  place  of  true  prayer;  and  without  that, 
where  are  we?  John  Woolman  said,  "When  the  Church 
arrives  at  the  place  of  true  prayer,  her  habitation  is 
safe."— J.  S.  E. 

Eighth  month  j.  About  3.18  P.  M.  a  cyclone,  accom- 
panied by  a  torrent  of  rain,  passed  near  us.  A  cloud 
appeared  about  the  size  of  a  square  of  ground,  much 
below  the  other  clouds,  which  were  moving  about  as 
usual,  but  the  cyclone  was  of  very  heavy  color,  almost 


Age  55      DIARY  AND   CORRESPONDENCE  221 

black,  shooting  out  arms,  and  then  apparently  gathering 
these  in  with  gyrations  and  moving  rapidly  to  the  north- 
west, until  it  was  apparently  within  a  few  hundred  yards 
of  our  factory,  and  then  moved  eastward  to  the  buildings 
of  the  Pennsylvania  Salt  Works,  demolishing  them,  then 
striking  across  the  Delaware  river  from  Mifflin  street, 
striking  the  steamboat  Major  Reybold,  carrying  away 
the  captain  and  pilot,  the  latter  being  drowned,  and  strik- 
ing the  roundhouse  of  the  Pennsylvania  railroad  at  Cam- 
den, passing  up  Third  and  Fourth  streets,  Camden,  till 
it  reached  the  river  at  Cooper's  Point  and  across  to  Port 
Richmond,  unroofing,  it  was  thought,  four  hundred 
houses. 

Ninth  month  22.  Left  Philadelphia  by  3.45  train  for 
Ohio,  to  see  our  son,  Alfred,  married.  We  had  favorable 
weather  for  the  trip.  The  changing  foliage  of  the  forest 
trees  impressed  me  more  than  ever  before.  It  being  the 
first  day  I  had  ever  worn  glasses,  the  colors  seemed  to 
be  brought  out  brighter.  Arrived  at  Barnesville  about 
9  P.  M. 

Ninth  month  23.  At  Monthly  Meeting  at  Stillwater 
I  was  impressed  with  the  size  of  the  meeting,  larger  than 
I  expected.  In  the  second  meeting  son  Alfred  passed 
meeting  with  Abby  Walton.  I  felt  it,  that  his  mother 
could  not  be  with  us.  Sister  Sarah  J.  Bedell  walked  with 
me  into  men's  meeting.  I  asked  the  Monthly  Meeting, 
on  behalf  of  my  son  Alfred,  for  an  appointed  meeting 


222  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i885 

next  day  to  accommodate  those  who  wished  to  attend  the 
marriage,  which  was  granted. 

Ninth  month  24.  My  son  Alfred  was  this  day  married 
to  Abby,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Sarah  Walton,  at 
Friends'  Meeting  in  Barnesville,  Belmont  county,  Ohio. 
The  day  was  very  fine,  and  perhaps  one  hundred  were 
present  who  could  not  be  seated.  I  felt  thankful  the 
meeting  was  held  in  the  dignity  it  seemed  to  be.  I  was 
enabled  to  discharge  my  mind  of  an  exercise  I  had  for 
the  people;  and,  after  the  marriage  ceremony  was  per- 
formed, to  intercede  for  the  blessing  from  Him  who 
alone  knoweth  the  end  from  the  beginning.  Esther 
Fowler  had  a  lively  testimony,  as  also  had  Ruth  S. 
Abbott.  We  had  a  nice  company  at  the  marriage  recep- 
tion, and  among  them  were  Dr.  Judkins  and  wife.  Dr. 
Judkins  was  Alfred's  physician  whilst  he  w^as  ill  in  Ohio 
the  year  before.  The  entertainment  was  conducted  satis- 
factorily and  the  company  seemed  to  enjoy  themselves. 

While  in  Ohio  I  called  at  uncle  Mahlon  Patterson's, 
near  Mt.  Pleasant,  which  is  a  beautiful  location.  The 
first  time  I  visited  there  was  in  1856,  when  cousin  Nathan 
P.  Hall  took  my  Malinda  and  me  there  a  few  days  after 
our  marriage  to  see  Malinda's  grandmother,  Faith  Patter- 
son, an  Israelite  indeed!  She  was  about  ninety-three 
years  of  age.  We  had  at  the  time  of  our  visit  a  sweet 
and  precious  opportunity,  in  which  dear  grandmother 
said  to  me,  "I  have  heard  of  thee  coming  to  see  my  grand- 


Age  55      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  223 

daughter,  and  now  I  see  thee,  I  am  satisfied.''  She  passed 
on  to  her  everlasting  reward  not  very  long  after. 

Tenth  month  2^.  Attended  the  first  meeting  of  the 
trustees  of  the  Charles  L.  Willits  Fund,  left  to  dis- 
tribute reading  matter,  explanatory  of  the  principles  of 
Friends,  among  the  people  of  color  in  the  Southern 
States  and  in  Liberia. 

Twelfth  month  24.  I  opened  a  concern  in  the  Monthly 
Meeting  to  visit  in  Gospel  love,  as  way  should  open,  the 
families  of  Upper  Springfield  Monthly  Meeting,  and  to 
appoint  a  few  public  meetings  within  its  limits,  which, 
being  freely  united  with,  a  minute  was  granted  me. 

First  month  i,  1886.  My  son  William  was  this  day 
admitted  into  the  firm  of  Joseph  S.  &  Thomas  Elkinton. 
He  has  been  a  faithful  and  affectionate  son  and  did  a  fair 
share  in  the  part  he  has  taken,  both  in  the  factory  and 
office. 

First  month  4.  Called  on  William  U.  Ditzler,  who  told 
me  of  the  death  of  a  Presbyterian  minister  who  occa- 
sionally came  to  Arch  Street  Meeting  for  the  sake  of  the 
quiet  he  found  there,  in  which  he  said  he  was  often 
favored  with  openings  that  were  useful  to  him.  Speaking 
of  our  Society,  he  said  to  William  U.  Ditzler,  "You  are 
the  leaven."  He  wished  others  would  give  more  place  to 
Divine  Revelation.  This  minister  also  related  to  W.  U.  D. 
that  on  a  certain  occasion  he  had  agreed  to  take  the  place 
of  another  preacher  in  his  absence  at  Doylestown.  He 
went  to  the  meeting  with  a  prepared  sermon  in  his  pocket, 


224  JOSEPH  S.   ELKINTON  is86 

but,  after  going  into  the  pulpit,  he  seemed  to  be  overtaken 
with  bHndness  and  inabiHty  to  fasten  his  mind  upon  any- 
thing he  had  written.  Whilst,  however,  his  congregation 
was  engaged  in  an  exercise,  he  was  sitting  with  his  hands 
before  his  face,  crying  unto  the  Lord  for  mercy.  As 
lightning,  a  passage  of  Scripture  presented  and  when  the 
congregation  was  through  singing,  he  stood  up  and  en- 
larged upon  the  passage.  He  said  in  all  his  ministry  he 
had  never  experienced  such  feelings.  After  the  meeting 
was  over  a  stranger  came  to  him  saying,  "God  sent  you 
here  with  that  message."  Two  of  his  congregation  told 
him  his  sermon  was  very  appropriate. 

Second  month  26.  In  our  Monthly  Meeting  I  gave  up 
my  minute  granting  me  liberty  to  visit  the  families  of 
Upper  Springfield  Monthly  Meeting  in  New  Jersey  and 
appoint  a  few  public  meetings  within  its  limits.  I  stated 
that  I  had  prosecuted  the  service  for  which  I  had  been 
liberated,  as  way  opened,  to  the  peace  and  comfort  of 
my  mind,  and  felt  that  I  had  cause  for  gratitude  for  the 
support  and  assistance  afforded  me. 

Received  a  telegram  from  Tunesassa  informing  me  of 
the  fire  there,  in  which  the  house  and  school  building 
were  burned,  but  the  family  and  children  all  escaped  but 
with  little  clothing.  After  consulting  a  few  friends,  I 
started  out  with  what  clothing  could  be  collected  in  so 
short  a  time  and  arrived  at  Salamanca  about  noon  the 
next  day. 

Second  month  sj.    Arrived  at  Salamanca  about  noon 


Age  56      DIARY  AND   CORRESPONDENCE  225 

and  found  Aaron  P.  Dewees  in  waiting,  thermometer 
about  zero  and  exceedingly  windy,  and  I  was  glad  that 
Aaron  went  from  Tunesassa  in  the  cars  to  save  exposure 
to  himself  and  me  too.  We  came  down  in  the  afternoon 
train. 

It  was  pretty  severe  going  across  Salamanca,  especially 
on  the  bridge,  the  wind  being  high,  and  it  nearly  froze 
my  ear.  I  thought  the  distance  so  short  that  I  had 
neglected  to  tie  it  up. 

We  were  met  at  Quaker  Bridge  Station  by  Aaron 
Dewees,  Jr.,  but  as  we  proceeded  to  Tunesassa,  I  missed 
the  sight  of  the  buildings  that  I  had  often  taken  such 
pleasure  in  viewing,  but  the  attention  being  now  turned  to 
the  tenant  house  with  feelings  of  more  interest  than  ever 
before,  as  it  now  sheltered  the  family  who,  having  escaped 
the  fire,  gave  me  a  greeting  that  manifested  pleasure  in 
seeing  me ;  but  several  showed  by  their  countenance  that 
they  had  experienced  much,  and  after  I  heard  them  relate 
what  they  passed  through  on  the  night  of  the  24th,  we 
might  well  be  glad  of  their  escaping  the  flames,  and  al- 
though but  little  property  was  saved  from  the  dwelling 
and  school  house,  yet  under  all  the  circumstances  it  is  a 
wonder  that  the  barns  and  outbuildings  were  saved.  It 
was  from  the  melted  snow  in  puddles  that  their  water 
was  obtained  to  throw  on  the  fire  so  as  to  stop  it  from 
consuming  the  outbuildings. 

A  new  oven  had  been  lately  introduced,  the  bottom  of 
which  was  on  some  brickwork,  that  either  had  timber 


226  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1886 

under  it  or  at  side  of  it,  that  became  heated  so  as  to  fire. 
It  had  been  observed  the  day  before  that  the  oven  was 
very  hot,  and  the  thoughts  of  some  of  the  family  had 
been  on  fire,  or  some  heavy  dispensation. 

The  Indians  who  came  to  the  fire  not  only  assisted  in 
saving  the  outbuildings,  but  showed  marked  kindness  in 
endeavoring  to  provide  for  the  children,  bringing  shawls, 
shoes,  etc.,  to  wrap  them  up  in,  and  take  them  to  their 
homes,  and  several  invitations  were  given,  both  by  the 
Indians  and  whites  around,  to  the  teachers  and  care- 
takers, but  they  preferred  keeping  together  in  the  tenant 
house;  they  had  seen  so  much  they  felt  closely  bound 
together. 

All  the  family  seemed  to  be  overdone.  The  shock  was 
very  great,  but  I  trust  all  will  come  up  in  a  few  days. 
Eleven  of  us  are  quartered  in  the  tenant  house,  which 
has  three  small  chambers  and  a  kitchen. 

It  does  not  take  much  in  speaking  of  the  scenes  of  the 
night  to  bring  tears  to  the  eyes,  and  it  has  had  the  efi^ect 
to  bind  the  family  together.  Louisa  Smith  says  she  has 
never  witnessed  such  an  interest  as  the  Indians  now  mani- 
fest. They  came  in  to  see  and  talk  over  the  matter,  and 
seem  to  feel  that  the  destruction  of  the  buildings  is  a 
great  loss  to  them,  and  hope  that  the  Quakers  will  build 
up  again.  Cynthia  Gordon  came  up  from  Cornplanter's 
because  she  could  not  rest.  All  said  the  Indians  at  Corn- 
planter's  were  very  much  affected  at  the  knowledge  of 
the  fire. 


Age  56      DIARY   AND    CORRESPONDENCE  227 

The  weather  is  so  cold  that  but  little  can  be  done  out 
of  doors.  I  found  I  could  stand  but  a  limited  time  around 
the  ruins. 

The  family  expressed  themselves  several  times  that 
they  were  glad  I  came,  and  Aaron  wishes  me  to  stay  a 
few  days  to  consult  with  him  and  to  see  the  Indians,  as 
there  is  considerable  unsettlement  and  anxiety  among  the 
Indians  in  reference  to  the  tenure  of  their  lands,  and  the 
Indian  Committee  want  more  information  as  to  what 
part  they  expect  to  take. 

Joseph  Branson  came  in  to  see  how  Friends  fared  and 
brought  some  clothing. 

Aaron  P.  Dewees'  condition  is  a  matter  of  some  solici- 
tude, as  his  lungs  seem  as  if  they  might  have  been  scalded, 
and  then  the  strain  on  his  mind  has  been  great.  He  said 
some  one  asked  him  if  he  felt  better  or  worse.  "Oh,"  he 
said,  "one  thing  and  another  kept  coming  up,  to  have 
nothing  and  no  place  to  put  that." 

He  dwells  on  how  he  was  being  lost  in  the  fire,  and 
says  there  was  a  part  of  the  time  he  cannot  account  for; 
however,  there  is  a  spirit  of  thankfulness  with  him.  He 
told  me  as  we  lay  in  bed  together  that  he  had  more  than 
he  asked  for.  In  the  time  of  the  fire  he  vocally  expressed, 
"Oh,  Lord  help  us  to  save  the  children." 

I  have  received  lessons  of  instruction,  and  I  trust  I  am 
not  out  of  place.  There  are  so  many  missing  things,  and 
the  family  wants  to  consult  on  many  things,  and  in  their 
state  it  is  not  to  be  wondered  at. 


228  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  18S6 

First-day.  Fourteen  of  us  met  in  the  kitchen  of  this 
Httle  house  in  a  meeting  capacity,  the  kitchen  being  the 
largest  room  in  the  house.  It  was  a  season  of  deep  feel- 
ing, and  I  saw  about  as  much  in  the  line  of  shedding 
tears  as  at  other  times  lately. 

I  was  a  good  deal  in  sympathy  with  the  two  girls  who 
went  from  here  on  Fifth-day  to  Cornplanter's.  Cynthia 
Gordon  told  me  that  they  could  not  tell  what  was  the 
matter  with  them  for  a  long  time,  their  hearts  were  so 
full. 

Robert  Blacksnake,  son  of  the  late  Owen  Blacksnake, 
has  been  in  since  meeting,  with  whom  I  had  some  con- 
versation in  reference  to  Indian  affairs,  and  agreed  with 
him  to  meet  some  of  their  head  men  at  Cold  Spring  on 
my  way  to  Gowanda. 

Fourth  month  6.  I  am  a  lover  of  the  Scriptures,  and 
want  others  to  be  also.  When  passages  therefrom  are 
sealed  upon  our  spirits  in  an  instructive  and  comforting 
manner,  let  us  strive  to  be  possessed  with  the  same  spirit 
that  the  writers  possessed  who  were  so  favored  with  the 
openings  of  Light  that  they  saw  those  things  which  they 
recorded. 

Fourth  month  2g.  Monthly  Meeting  at  Arch  Street. 
In  our  business  meeting  I  stated  to  Friends  that  Elwood 
Dean  being  with  us  and  having  a  prospect  of  attending 
some  of  our  meetings,  as  he  may  feel  the  Divine  support 
therein,  also  appointing  some  meetings  outside  of  the 
Society,  I  felt  it  would  most  comport  with  my  peace,  with 


Age  56      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE         229 

the  consent  of  the  meeting,  to  join  him  in  the  work  he 
had  in  hand,  whilst  it  was  pursued  in  the  Hmits  of  our 
Yearly  Meeting.  There  was  a  general  expression  of  unity 
and  concurrence  therewith,  and  a  minute  was  granted  me. 

Eighth  month  15.  At  our  afternoon  meeting  to-day 
there  were  some  strangers,  and  I  felt  drawn  to  allude  to 
that  power  which  a  man  might  possess  in  his  place  of 
worship,  in  his  dwelling,  in  his  workshop  or  by  the  way- 
side, whereby  he  might  be  instrumental  in  leavening  the 
spirits  of  others  and  not  necessarily  depend  upon  what 
expression  he  might  drop.  I  wanted  all  to  seek  for  a 
measure  to  adorn  our  calling.  The  employer  should  deal 
justly  and  have  the  best  interest  of  those  under  him  at 
heart.  The  physician,  nurse,  lawyer,  engineer  or  sea 
captain  who  had  the  cause  or  even  the  lives  of  others  in 
his  hands,  had  need  to  know  the  place  of  intercession  and 
to  be  kept  in  the  Lord's  holy  fear,  which  was  not  such  a 
fear  as  prevented  action  in  its  time  and  season,  but  rather 
enabled  to  act  efficiently.  The  lawyer,  the  magistrate, 
the  judge  should  act  according  to  the  pleasure  of  the 
Lord ;  and  all  the  more  in  the  offices  of  the  Church  should 
we  seek  to  be  imbued  with  that  which  is  not  of  ourselves, 
but  of  Him  who  showeth  mercy  and  does  discipline  and 
qualify  his  own  office  for  the  work. 

Tenth  month  14.  Went  to  Haddonfield  to  attend  the 
marriage  of  my  son  William  with  Eleanor,  daughter  of 
Charles  Rhoads.  My  Malinda  went  over  yesterday  and 
was  kindly  entertained  at  Sarah  and  Rebecca  Nicholson's. 


230  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1886 

Probably  five  hundred  were  at  meeting.  We  were  favored 
with  a  sense  of  the  Divine  presence.  I  was  drawn  to 
intercede  that  as  that  occasion  was  chosen  by  our  children 
to  present  themselves  before  the  Lord  and  take  each  other 
for  companions  for  life,  and  we  would  trust  not  to  take 
only,  but  to  give;  and  in  the  spirit  the  Apostle  enjoined, 
when  he  said,  ''Husbands,  love  your  wives  as  your  own 
bodies,  even  as  Christ  loved  the  Church  and  gave  himself 
for  it,"  that  the  Lord  might  be  pleased  to  honor  us  with 
a  sense  of  his  living  presence,  and  own  us  in  our  oflfer- 
ings,  whether  openly  expressed  or  in  silent  exercise  for 
the  arising  of  life.  We  could  speak  for  our  children  as 
for  those  who  had  served  and  were  serving  us ;  we  might 
share  of  what  we  possessed,  and  endeavor  to  guard  from 
hurtful  influences,  yet  the  power  to  preserve  was  from 
the  Lord.  We  felt  our  impotence,  and  that  we  ourselves 
were  but  as  the  grass  of  the  field,  which  flourisheth  for  a 
time  and  then  vanisheth  away,  but  thy  word  abideth 
forever,  therefore  we  commend  our  children  to  thee  and 
to  the  word  of  thy  grace  which  is  able  to  build  them  up 
and  to  give  them  an  inheritance  among  those  that  are 
sanctified  that  they  may  be  thine,  fearing  thee  and  keeping 
thy  commandments,  and  think  upon  thy  name. 

Elizabeth  R.  Evans  spoke  on  the  passage,  "It  is  the 
blessing  of  the  Lord  which  maketh  truly  rich,  and  to 
which  no  sorrow  is  added."  Jonathan  E.  Rhoads  deliv- 
ered a  very  satisfactory  communication  on  the  importance 
of  the  marriage  covenant,  it  being  the  most  important  step 


Age  56     DIARY  AND   CORRESPONDENCE  231 

in  a  man's  life,  not  implying,  however,  that  the  great 
thing  needful,  giving  place  to  the  convictions  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  was  second  to  any  other.  Richard  Esterbrook 
commenced  his  acceptable  communication  with :  "It  is 
not  display  or  eloquence  that  is  wanted  in  these  assem- 
blies, but  the  power  of  the  Lord."  We  had  a  supplication 
from  Esther  Roberts  that  was  very  appropriate.  Our 
son  Joseph  spoke  of  those  being  favored  with  the  reve- 
lation of  Jesus  Christ,  who  know  something  of  the  bap- 
tizing power  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

There  were  over  one  hundred  guests  at  the  house  of 
entertainment,  and  we  had  a  very  agreeable  time. 

Elventh  month  8.  Our  children  had  a  large  company, 
which  was  considered  the  home-coming  of  our  son  Wil- 
liam and  his  wife.  Whatever  may  be  the  weakness  of 
my  children,  it  is  not  that  they  do  not  keep  good  company. 
It  was  with  satisfaction  that  I  could  look  over  such  a 
company  as  having  grown  up  amongst  us,  and  my  heart 
was  clothed  with  the  feeling  that  craved  the  Divine  bless- 
ing upon  them. 

Eleventh  month  ii.  My  Malinda  was  out  at  meeting 
to-day,  when  she  heard  the  representatives  of  three  gen- 
erations in  the  ministry.  Mother  Patterson  bore  testi- 
mony to  the  importance  of  waiting  on  the  Lord.  I  fol- 
lowed, reviving  the  testimony  of  the  Apostle  that  the 
same  Jesus  whom  the  Jews  slew  and  hanged  upon  the 
tree  did  God  exalt  by  his  right  hand  to  be  a  Prince  and 
a  Saviour,  to  give  repentance  to  Israel  and  remission  of 


232  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1SS6 

sins,  and  they  were  his  witnesses,  as  also  the  Holy  Ghost, 
which  was  given  to  them  that  believe.  Son  Joseph  fol- 
lowed with  a  testimony  that  gave  evidence  to  my  mind 
that  his  heart  was  filled  with  a  measure  of  Divine  love. 

Eleventh  month  ij.  Rheumatism  took  a  pretty  sharp 
grip  of  my  chest  yesterday,  enough  to  remind  me  that  I 
had  a  fleshy  part  that  was  neither  iron  nor  steel,  and  that 
I  probably  could  not  endure  hardness  as  in  days  past; 
but  if  out  on  proper  business,  I  judge  there  will  be  no 
occasion  to  complain  of  the  bill  of  fare  or  a  lack  of  ability 
to  do  what  may  be  appointed. 

Eleventh  month  2/.  I  informed  the  Monthly  Meeting 
on  the  26th  that  I  was  under  appointment  to  present  an 
address  prepared  by  the  Indian  Committee  to  the  Indians 
in  council,  as  well  as  to  visit  the  Indians  at  Tunesassa; 
but  having  been  impressed  for  some  years  past  that  there 
was  a  breaking  forth  of  Light  in  southwestern  New  York, 
I  would  open  up  a  concern  to  hold  some  public  meetings 
in  that  section,  as  also  in  Columbiana  county,  Ohio,  and 
western  Pennsylvania,  which  concern  was  united  with 
and  a  minute  granted  me.* 

Tivelfth  month  30.  At  our  meeting  I  returned  the 
minute  granted  me  last  month,  stating  that  I  had  pursued 
the  concern  as  far  as  I  felt  required  of  me,  and  returned 
home  with  feelings  of  peace  and  quietness.  I  was  con- 
firmed in  the  belief  that  was  a  time  of  visitation  in  south- 


*Seth  Warrington,  of  Moorestown,  New  Jersey,  accompanied 
me  in  this  service. 


Age  56      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  233 

western  New  York  state,  and  I  appreciated  the  disposi- 
tion to  assist  me  as  well  as  the  hospitality  bestowed. 

The  following  is  an  incident  once  related  to  me  by- 
Alfred  Cope:  Alfred  Cope  had  a  man  in  his  employ  who 
seemed  to  keep  very  poor,  and  Alfred  asked  him  how  it 
was.  His  reply  was  that  the  priest  had  told  him  that  his 
mother  was  in  purgatory  and  to  get  her  out  he  must  pay 
him  well,  so  this  was  why  he  was  so  poor.  Alfred  Cope 
induced  him  to  get  a  statement  or  receipt  from  the  priest 
of  the  amount  of  money  that  he  had  received,  as  his  em- 
ployer was  uneasy,  knowing  that  he  gave  him  good  wages. 
The  statement  was  obtained  showing  what  the  man  had 
paid  for  the  pious  purpose  of  getting  his  mother  out  of 
purgatory.  Alfred  Cope  asked  the  man  if  he  knew  that 
his  mother  was  dead.  The  man  said :  "Oh,  it  must  be  so, 
for  the  priest  said  so !"  Alfred  Cope  told  him  to  write  to 
Ireland,  that  if  his  mother  were  living,  for  her  to  come 
over  to  America  and  he  would  bear  all  her  expenses. 
This  the  man  did,  and  the  mother  came,  and  Alfred  Cope 
gave  her  a  position.  But  he  took  her  with  her  son  to 
the  priest's  house;  and,  leaving  the  mother  outside,  he 
went  in  with  the  man  and  spoke  to  the  priest  about  the 
imposition  of  getting  the  money  from  the  man,  for  his 
mother  was  living.  The  priest  asserted  she  was  dead. 
This  A.  C.  denied,  as  he  had  taken  steps  to  prove  her 
identity,  and  told  the  man  to  go  out  and  bring  her  in,  and 
then  told  the  priest  if  he  did  not  refund  all  the  money 
he  would  expose  him  and  make  him  pay  well  for  it.    The 


234  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1886 

priest  gave  up  the  money.  After  a  time  the  man  seemed 
to  be  getting  poor  again,  and  A.  C.  asked  him  what  was 
the  matter  now.  He  said  the  priest  told  him  if  he  did 
not  let  him  have  that  money  again  he  would  send  him 
direct  to  hell  when  he  died ;  that  there  would  be  no  pur- 
gatory for  him. 


CHAPTER  IX. 
Visit  to  Mennonite  Community,  etc. 

First  month  i8,  1887.  Our  son  Joseph  knocked  at  our 
room  this  morning,  about  six  o'clock,  and  reported  the 
birth  of  a  little  son,  who  has  been  named  Joseph  Pass- 
more  Elkinton. 

Second  month  5.  The  minute  being  brought  up  from 
our  last  meeting  concerning  my  son  Joseph,  there  was 
considerable  expression  confirming  the  judgment  of  the 
Monthly  Meeting  that  a  gift  in  the  ministry  had  been 
conferred  upon  him. 

Joseph  Walton  spoke  of  the  satisfaction  it  was  to  him 
to  witness  this  movement,  and  he  also  said  he  thought  it 
had  been  a  loss  to  our  Yearly  Meeting  not  to  acknowledge 
gifts  timely,  with  which  mother  Patterson  expressed  her 
unity.  A  minute  was  made  confirming  the  judgment  of 
the  Monthly  Meeting  and  a  copy  was  directed  to  be  sent 
down  to  the  Monthly  Meeting  and  Preparative  Meeting 
of  Ministers  and  Elders,  and  my  son  now  stands  acknowl- 
edged as  a  Minister  in  the  Society  of  Friends.  May  the 
Lord  preserve  him  on  the  true  foundation  and  imbue  him 
with  the  hidden  wisdom  on  which  the  ministry  of  the 
Apostle  Paul  was  built  that  he  may  be  a  blessing  to  his 
generation. 

Second  month  20.  My  friend  and  neighbor,  H.  O.  Gib- 
bons, invited  me  in  to  see  a  brother  of  General  Howard, 

235 


236  JOSEPH   S.  ELKINTON  1887 

who  was  at  his  house  and  who  was  a  representative  of 
the  Peace  Society.  He  told  me  that  the  horrors  that  he 
witnessed  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg  had  turned  him  into 
a  peace  man,  and  that  he  wished  to  encourage  arbitration 
for  nations. 

Second  month  24,  188/.  In  the  Monthly  Meeting  I 
informed  Friends  that  with  the  liberty  of  this  meeting 
and  the  hearts  amongst  whom  my  lot  might  be  cast,  to 
receive  it,  I  felt  it  my  place  to  hold  myself  open  to  appoint 
some  public  meetings  within  the  limits  of  Bucks  and  Cain 
Quarterly  Meetings,  more  particularly  among  the  people 
called  Mennonites,  towards  whom  my  thoughts  had  been 
turned  through  a  course  of  years,  accompanied  with  the 
feeling  that  it  might  be  right  for  me  to  visit  them. 
Friends  granted  me  a  minute  that  allowed  the  prosecu- 
tion of  the  concern. 

Third  month  7.  Left  Doylestown  this  morning  for 
Deep  Run,  to  attend  an  appointed  meeting  with  the 
Mennonites.  Joseph  Walton  accompanied  me,  and  we 
found  a  large  assembly  gathered  and  well  settled.  It  was 
a  touching  sight  to  me,  and  I  felt  grateful  at  the  response 
that  was  given  to  our  proposal  to  meet  them. 

The  house  was  large,  and  it  was  arranged  for  the 
women  to  occupy  the  benches,  which  faced  each  other 
like  in  our  Arch  Street  Meeting  House,  except  there  were 
more  of  them.  There  was  an  ante- room  at  one  end  of 
the  house  provided  for  the  women,  where  it  was  their 
practice  to  lay  aside  their  bonnets  and  come  into  the 


Age  57      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  237 

meeting  with  their  caps  on.  There  were  bandboxes  on 
shelves  in  the  ante-room  for  their  accommodation.  They 
presented  a  neat,  plain,  simple  appearance  which  im- 
pressed me,  and  in  all  my  travels  I  have  not  met  with 
any  that  seemed  more  like  Friends.  They  have  a  testi- 
many  against  war,  oaths,  hireling  ministry,  and  will  not 
go  to  laAv  with  each  other ;  indeed,  in  this  particular  they 
are  an  example  for  our  own  members.  They  believe  in 
the  sacraments,  but  do  not  encourage  the  preparation  of 
sermons.  I  went  amongst  them  with  no  other  watchword 
than  "Follow  me."  The  language  of  the  Saviour  was 
forcibly  brought  to  my  view,  "Other  sheep  I  have  which 
are  not  of  this  fold ;  them  also  I  must  bring,  that  there 
may  be  one  fold  and  one  shepherd."  There  were  several 
ministers  who  sat  in  line  with  us  on  the  bench  facing  the 
assembly,  and  we  had  not  only  tender  but  weighty  feel- 
ings. I  thought  it  was  an  unusually  favored  meeting;  to 
the  Lord  be  praise ! 

We  were  kindly  greeted  by  the  people  after  meeting 
and  invited  to  dine  at  John  Gross',  one  of  their  ministers 
— a  solid,  worthy  man — where  he  had  an  exceedingly  in- 
teresting visit.  We  were  informed  of  their  practice  and 
discipline,  also  manner  of  choosing  their  ministers  and 
bishop  by  lot.  When  a  congregation  desires  a  minister 
they  apply  to  the  conference.  The  conference  allowing 
the  appointment,  it  goes  back  to  the  congregation,  when 
in  a  business  meeting,  liberty  is  given  for  any  one  to  be 
named  that  is  on  the  mind  of  a  member,  and  those  named 


238  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1887 

are  considered  candidates.  There  are  taken  as  many 
books  as  there  are  candidates,  and  in  each  book  is  placed 
a  slip  of  paper,  all  blanks  excepting  one,  on  which  is 
written,  "The  lot  is  cast  into  the  lap,  but  the  deciding 
thereof  is  with  the  Lord."  The  books  are  then  mixed 
together;  secret  prayer  on  the  part  of  the  congregation 
is  then  called  for  that  the  Lord  would  guide  the  hand. 
The  candidates  then  go,  each  taking  a  book,  and  the  one 
taking  the  book  containing  the  written  slip  of  paper  is 
considered  appointed,  and  the  bishop  is  expected  to  ordain 
him.  The  bishops  are  chosen  by  lot  from  amongst  the 
ministers.  I  had  felt  in  the  early  morning  something  of 
the  overshadowing  sense  of  Heavenly  Goodness,  which 
was  precious  to  me.  They  took  considerable  interest  in 
planning  meetings  for  us,  and  said  they  w^ould  consult 
with  other  neighborhoods. 

Third  month  ii.  We  went  in  the  afternoon  to  Isaac 
Overholzer's.  He  has  been  their  bishop  for  a  long  time, 
but  now  unable  to  go  out  of  his  house.  The  theme  of 
his  conversation  was  concerning  his  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
who  seemed  to  be  his  "All  in  All."  At  the  tea  table,  after 
the  silence  at  the  close  of  the  meal,  he  spoke  impressively, 
and  hoped  the  Almighty  God  would  bless  and  prosper 
the  work  we  had  undertaken,  with  more  that  showed  his 
unity  and  also  gave  evidence  of  his  having  a  part  in  the 
work  and  a  fellowship  with  those  whom  he  believed  to 
be  in  the  Truth.     He  expressed  satisfaction  with  our 


Age  57      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  239 

visit.  His  personal  appearance  reminded  me  much  of 
Christopher  Healy. 

Third  month  ij.  We  had  a  comfortable,  satisfactory 
meeting  at  Arch  Street,  where  I  saw  for  the  first  time 
my  son  Joseph  in  the  gallery,  he  having  been  invited  to 
take  his  seat  there  during  my  absence. 

Fourth  month  26.  From  a  letter  to  William  P.  Town- 
send  from  J.  S.  E. : 

I  see  the  leaves  putting  forth  and  the  grass  in  the  square 
is  freshening  up  as  if  we  were  really  to  have  spring. 
The  sight  of  the  leaves  in  spring  is  always  a  welcome 
one  to  me.  It  is  lawful  for  us  to  enjoy  the  beauties 
of  creation  as  we  are  given  capacity  so  to  do,  and  whether 
we  are  in  sound  bodily  health,  or  have  been  touched  in 
some  way  or  other,  the  contemplation  of  the  works  and 
of  the  omnipotence  of  the  great  Creator  is  not  to  be 
denied  us,  and  all  the  changes  but  quicken  in  the  sense 
that  this  is  the  time  granted  to  work  the  pleasure  of  Him 
for  whose  pleasure  all  things  are  and  were  created. 

Sixth  month  i.    From  a  letter  to  Margaret  Lightfoot : 

We  have  had  our  providences  and  been  among  a  very 
interesting  people.  The  weather  has  been  for  the  most 
part  very  favorable,  and  the  gatherings  have  been  large 
and  apparently  held  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  visited.  We 
certainly  have  met  with  great  openness  and  expression 
frequently  made  in  the  line  of  desiring  that  our  labors 
should  be  blessed,  for  all  which  gratitude  to  our  Heavenly 
Father  should  be  felt. — J.  S.  E. 


240  JOSEPH    S.    ELKIXTOX  1888 

Seventh  month  JO.  Joseph  \\'alton  and  1  visited  most 
of  the  meetings  of  the  Mennonites  in  Lancaster  county, 
and  were  well  received,  and  witnessed  seasons  of  the 
extendings  of  Heavenly  goodness,  for  which  gratitude 
should  be  felt  to  the  Author  of  all  good. 

Oh  I  that  we  might,  through  the  few  remaining  days 
that  may  be  allotted  us  on  earth,  know  the  Lord  to  be 
with  us  in  the  way  we  go,  giving  us  bread  to  eat  and 
raiment  to  put  on  in  a  spiritual  as  well  as  temporal  sense ; 
that  when  our  day's  work  shall  be  done  we  may  lay  down 
our  heads  in  peace,  and  be  prepared  to  join  with  those 
who  are  singing  the  song  of  the  redeemed. 

Ninth  month  8.  At  Arch  Street  Meeting  there  w^as  a 
precious  feeling  I  thought  remarkable  during  the  silence 
of  the  meeting,  which  w^as  broken  by  my  son  Joseph  in 
a  short  testimony,  followed  by  an  appearance  in  suppli- 
cation by  his  father. 

Second  month  6,  i888.  At  our  Quarterly  Meeting, 
when  the  Queries  were  being  discussed,  my  son  Joseph, 
in  his  testimony,  brought  out  a  good  deal  of  historj'  to 
the  effect  that  there  had  been  those  in  the  different  gen- 
erations, from  the  days  of  the  disciples  to  the  present 
time,  who  adhered  to  these  principles,  and  in  our  day 
Friends  were  by  no  means  alone,  but  others  would  almost 
put  us  to  shame  as  regards  consistency. 

I  wanted  Friends  who  live  near  meeting  houses  to  do 
what  they  could  to  open  their  doors  to  those  who  live 
on  the  outskirts,  that  they  might  be  accommodated  when 


Age  58      DIARY  AND   CORRESPONDENCE  241 

they  come  to  our  meetings,  and  that  we  should  keep  aUve 
a  concern  to  visit  our  members  in  their  homes. 

Extract  from  a  letter  to  Amos  Herr  from  J.  S.  E. : 
Philadelphia,  Third  month  8,  1888. 

Dear  Friexd:  I  am  far  from  thinking  that  thou  and 
the  Societj'  to  which  thou  belongs  lay  your  salvation 
merely  on  the  obser\-ance  of  the  ordinances,  as  they  are 
called;  and  in  the  whole  paragraph  which  thou  wrote, 
quoting  the  words  of  the  Apostle  Peter  and  enlarging 
thereon,  I  do  not  see  a  word  that  I  would  wish  to  change. 
I  believe  we  are  in  one  spirit.  I  could  only  add  that  in 
the  living  experience  that  any  one.  coming  to  have  the 
answer  of  a  good  conscience  toward  God  by  the  resur- 
rection of  Jesus,  arrives  at,  he  does  know  of  being  washed 
in  the  water  of  regeneration,  and  those  who  sit  at  the 
table  of  the  Lord  do  feed  upon  the  bread  of  life,  even 
upon  Him  who  said,  "T  am  the  bread  of  life,"  and  they 
drink  the  wine  of  the  kingdom.  This  is  eating  the  bread 
and  drinking  the  blood  of  the  Son  of  Man  whereby  we 
may  come  to  have  life  in  Him.  I  have  no  doubt  in  my 
mind  but  they  who  love  the  appearing  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
have  a  crown  in  store,  and  what  they  do  in  sincerity  in 
their  endeavors  to  serve  him  by  keeping  his  command- 
ments He  will  regard :  but  as  it  was  designed  that  in 
Christ  should  be  fulfilled  those  things  which  were  de- 
signed to  prepare  for  the  coming  of  Christ,  we  must 
suppose  compassion  will  be  extended  to  us  as  we  hold  to 
or  leave  that  which  aforetime  was  ordained. 


242  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1888 

Luther  was  a  favored  man,  and  was  undoubtedly  bap- 
tized and  prepared  for  a  great  work;  and  yet  as  he  took 
up  arms  against  some  who  also  knew  of  the  Truth,  we 
must  think  he  did  not  come  to  the  fulness  of  Light 
which  was  reserved  for  some  who  came  later.  I  prize 
the  remembrance  of  seasons  when  traveling  in  Lancaster 
county  last  year,  when  the  overshadowing  of  heavenly 
goodness  overspread  us  and  we  could  feel  that  we  were 
children  of  one  common  Father,  who  loved  us  and  sent 
his  son  Jesus  Christ  to  bless  us,  not  only  by  turning  us 
from  our  iniquities,  but  also  to  comfort  our  hearts  and 
refresh  us  so  that  we  could  feel  that  even  in  this  state 
of  being  the  language  was  to  be  held  forth,  "Where  I  am 
there  shall  my  servant  be."  Now  whatsoever  we  do,  let 
is  be  done  as  unto  the  Lord,  that  whether  we  eat,  or 
whether  we  drink,  it  shall  be  done  as  unto  the  Lord,  and 
the  Lord  direct  our  hearts  unto  the  love  of  God  and  the 
patient  waiting  for  Christ.    .    .    . 

Extracted  from  a  letter  from  J.  S.  E.,  dated  Third 
month  13,  1888: 

.  .  .  In  the  occupancy  of  our  respective  trusts  or 
responsibilities  we  need  the  Divine  support,  and  at  times 
it  seems  appalling,  what  there  is  to  be  met,  but  we  have 
been  and  will  continue  to  be  made  partakers  of  the  Lord's 
mercies  if  we  keep  the  faith. 

Fourth  month  2^.  In  our  Yearly  Meeting,  on  Third- 
day,  whilst  the  Queries  were  under  consideration,  Charles 
Rhoads  alluded  to  the  temptations  to  extend  business  and 


Age  58      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  243 

to  depart  from  strict  integrity,  which  I  supplemented 
with  the  sentiment  that  employers  should  have  a  righteous 
concern  for  the  spiritual  welfare  of  those  in  their  employ, 
giving  them  what  privileges  they  can,  and  that  they  should 
have  a  place  in  their  prayers. 

Fifth  month  24.  At  a  meeting  at  Arch  Street  son 
Joseph  took  up  a  passage  in  regard  to  the  strangers  who 
should  be  joined  to  us,  who  kept  the  covenant  of  the 
Lord,  that  they  should  be  joined  to  the  inheritance  which 
the  Lord  had  in  store  for  his  people.  These  were  they 
who  did  not  profane  the  Sabbath  of  the  Lord.  Joseph 
seemed  to  have  an  understanding,  and  was  permitted  to 
open  out  with  a  good  degree  of  clearness  as  to  the 
nature  of  the  true  Sabbath;  and  that  as  in  the  outward, 
so  in  the  spiritual,  there  was  need  of  keeping  the  Sabbath 
and  resting  from  works.  He  also  took  up  the  parable  of 
the  Apostle  regarding  the  grafting  of  the  wild  olive 
branch  and  except  that  faithfulness  was  maintained,  it 
would  be  cut  off.  He  handled  this  with  some  ability. 
I  cannot  but  believe  my  son  has  a  part  in  the  work  and 
has  his  openings. 

Sixth  month  8.  I  received  information  that  William 
B.  Morgan,  now  stationed  at  Earlham  college,  would 
be  willing  to  have  a  set  of  the  volumes  of  "The  Friend" 
for  Earlham  college.  They  are  erecting  a  new  building. 
It  was  stated  that  the  set  I  had  sent  to  Oskaloosa,  to  be 
placed  in  the  college  there,  had  been  appreciated.  I 
sent  a  set  to  Earlham  and  received  the  following  reply: 


244  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1888 

Earlham,  Indiana,  Sixth  month  6,  1888. 
Joseph  S.  Elkinton, 

Dear  Friend:  I  learn  that  the  books  have  now 
reached  our  freight  office  at  Richmond.  We  are  now 
expecting  to  transfer  the  College  Library  during  the 
vacation,  which  begins  shortly,  to  the  rooms  prepared 
in  the  new  building.  The  boxes  are  not  to  be  opened 
until  the  shelves  are  ready  for  them.  I  am  directed  by 
the  authorities  to  convey  to  thee  their  thanks  for  the 
same.  I  had  occasion,  in  the  preparation  of  a  lecture 
on  Indian  matters  a  few  weeks  ago,  to  look  up  some 
references  to  Cherokee  history,  and  I  found  from  the 
few  volumes  of  "The  Friend,"  to  which  I  had  access, 
more  valuable  accounts  than  from  any  other  source. 
The  editors  have  always  been  so  careful  to  secure  the 
facts  and  to  discard  mere  conjecture  that  I  apprehend 
"The  Friend"  for  the  last  sixty  years  will  prove  a  most 
valuable  book  of  reference  for  that  period. 
Thy  sincere  friend, 

William  B.  Morgan.    • 

Sixth  month  /j.  Went  to  Twelfth  Street,  and  was 
engaged  to  address  those  young  in  years,  more  particu- 
larly the  school  children ;  to  encourage  them  to  mind 
their  day  of  their  visitation,  and  as  they  were  thus  con- 
cerned to  do,  no  doubt  the  promise  of  the  Lord  would  be 
extended  to  them  as  to  Jacob,  when  he  was  favored  with 
a  vision ;  and  the  Lord  spake  unto  him  saying,  "Behold 
I  am  with  thee,  and  will  preserve  thee ;"  and  not  only 


Age  58     DIARY   AND    CORRESPONDENCE         245 

their  own  welfare,  but  their  influence  in  the  community 
would  be  greatly  affected  by  their  being  favored  with  a 
measure  of  Divine  Grace,  which  enables  men  to  act  well 
in  this  Hfe. 

Extract  from  a  letter  by  J.  S.  E.,  dated  Sixth  month, 
1888: 

Children  who  thus  honor  their  parents  will  not  fail  in 
receiving  a  blessing  from  Him  who  promised  that  "their 
days  should  be  long  in  the  land  which  He  would  give 
them."  I  think  it  is  called  the  first  commandment  with 
promise.  I  have  been  richly  paid  for  what  I  did  in 
helping  my  father  to  carry  out  his  religious  concerns. 
Before  I  was  of  age  there  were  several  occasions  when 
my  father  was  away  for  a  considerable  time  that  the 
weight  of  business  cares  fell  on  me.  Now  I  reap  the 
reward  in  having  children  who  can  and  do  release  me 
when  I  am  away,  as  I  have  been  perhaps  one-third  of 
my  time  in  the  past  twenty  years.  I  have  reasonable 
hope  that  when  my  time  comes  to  lay  down  the  armor 
that  it  will  be  taken  up  by  those  who  are  to  come  after 
me ;  one  of  my  children  having  given  acceptance,  and  has 
been  acknowledged  by  his  friends  as  a  minister.  To 
have  him  on  one  side  of  me  and  his  grandmother  Pat- 
terson on  the  other  in  our  meetings  for  worship  is  a 
comfort,  the  latter  having  been  a  minister  about  fifty 
years.  It  is  a  precious  thing  when  the  hearts  of  parents 
and  children  are  bound  together  in  the  bundle  of  life, 


246  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  iS88 

supporting  the  hands  of  each  other  and  craving  the 
Divine  blessing. 

Extracted  from  a  letter  dated  Seventh  month  28,  1888 1 

Thou  referred  to  my  giving  up  the  Third  Street  house. 
I  thought  it  best  to  lighten  my  cares,  but  I  miss  that 
house.  There  were  seasons  of  favor  witnessed  there 
that  I  expect  will  not  be  forgotten  by  me  whilst  memory 
lasts,  but  there  does  seem  a  limit  as  to  what  we  can  carry. 

A  letter  to  Samuel  J.  Randall  (at  one  time  Speaker 
of  the  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United  States 
Congress)  from  J.  S.  E.,  dated  Eighth  month  29,  1888: 
Samuel  J.  Randall, 

Respected  Friend  :  The  little  time  I  spent  in  thy  sick 
room  served  but  to  increase  the  affectionate  regard  I  had 
for  thee,  not  merely,  I  trust,  because  of  the  kindness 
thou  hadst  shown  when  in  an  influential  position,  but 
now  that  thou  art  sick  and  aside  from  the  world  and 
its  bustle,  in  a  condition,  unless  too  much  reduced  in 
strength,  to  give  place  to  reflection,  I  desire  for  thee  the 
overshadowing  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit ;  that  when 
those  things  rise  before  thee  that  have  the  strongest 
hold  upon  thy  feelings  and  in  which  the  welfare  of  the 
country  may  be  effected,  thou  wilt  be  allowed  to  experi- 
ence a  quietude  of  mind.  And  if  thou  could  be  favored 
with  a  rest  from  all  these  concerns  it  would  be  what  I 
would  desire  for  thee ;  that  all  the  more  place  could  be 
given  to  those  things  which  affect  thy  eternal  interest 
in  that  world  which  is  to  come,  for  as  thou  expressed 


Age  58      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  247 

the  belief  that  we  did  not  end  with  this  life,  as  also  a 
belief  in  Christianity,  so  I  would  that  the  thoughts  con- 
nected with  these  great  subjects  might  be  dwelt  upon. 
The  word  Eternity  is  full  of  significance;  and  Chris- 
tianity is  that  which  rightly  prepares  us  for  it,  for 
through  it  we  experience  repentance  and  remission  of 
sins,  as  also  a  well-grounded  hope  of  a  blessed  immor- 
tality. 

The  first  step  in  the  great  work  is  to  know  of  the 
strivings  of  the  Spirit  in  the  soul,  and  then  to  see  our- 
selves as  we  are  seen  by  the  Omniscient  eye  with  the 
conviction  that  there  is  a  way  to  obtain  peace  with  our 
Maker  through  our  Holy  Redeemer.  This  is  Christian- 
ity— the  Father  drawing  through  the  Son  and  we  through 
Him,  obtaining  Eternal  Life.  "This  is  life  Eternal,''  said 
our  Saviour,  ''that  they  might  know  thee,  the  only  true 
God  and  Jesus  Christ,  whom  thou  hast  sent."  And  the 
same  holy  influences  by  which  we  may  be  prepared  for  a 
better  inheritance  when  done  with  time  here  can  qualify 
us  for  a  faithful  discharge  of  our  duties,  if  life  is  con- 
tinued. Sincerely  thy  friend, 

J.  S.  E. 

Eighth  month  8.  Met  with  a  young  man  who,  in  course 
of  conversation,  spoke  of  its  being  waste  of  time  to 
attend  to  religion,  and  that  the  great  men  did  not  do  it ; 
to  which  I  replied  that  many  who  were  considered  great 
men  had  too  little   regard   for  it,  but  that  it  was   the 


248  JOSEPH   S.    EI.KINTON  1888 

only  thing  to  make  men  truly  great.  I  hope  the  invitation 
of  Divine  love  and  mercy  may  be  extended  to  him. 

Eighth  month  i6.  At  a  meeting  at  Arch  Street  I  was 
bowed  in  supplication,  desiring  the  compassionate  regard 
of  our  Heavenly  Father,  who  could  give  us  of  the  Spirit 
of  Grace  to  wrestle  availingly  for  his  blessing;  that  He 
would  watch  over  us  for  good,  and  give  us  to  experience, 
"that  as  our  day  is,  so  might  our  strength  be."  We  have 
cause  for  thankfulness  in  that  we  have  been  preserved 
from  dangers,  seen  and  unseen,  and  that  this  blessing 
of  preservation  might  be  continued,  and  we  made  a  bless- 
ing to  our  generation.  I  think  this  was  the  first  time 
that  I  had  been  engaged  in  public  service  in  my  own 
meeting  for  three  months. 

Tenth  month  i.  Attended  the  funeral  of  our  dear 
friend  George  Abbott  in  the  morning,  and  in  the  after- 
noon went  to  Crosswicks  to  attend  the  appointed  meet- 
ing in  the  evening,  with  other  members  of  the  Yearly 
Meeting's  Committee.  About  one  hundred  and  twenty 
were  present.  Charles  Rhoads  delivered  a  remarkable 
communication,  first  enlarging  on  the  first  two  sentences 
in  what  is  called  the  Lord's  Prayer,  and  then  in  bringing 
out  points  of  Christian  doctrine,  and  before  he  finished 
he  spoke  emphatically  on  the  pernicious  publications 
attacking  the  Bible  and  fraught  with  infidel  principles. 

I  followed  after  a  pause,  stating  that  I  could  speak  as 
another  witness  to  the  influence  of  the  spirit  of  infidelity, 
and   I   believed   it  was   a   time   for  the  trumpet  to  be 


Age  58      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  249 

sounded.  Others  followed,  both  in  line  of  the  ministry 
and  supplication.  A  friend  remarked  after  meeting  he 
was  glad  to  hear  me  say  it  was  a  time  to  blow  the 
trumpet. 

Tenth  month  ii.  We  had  a  good  meeting  at  Arch 
Street  to-day,  there  being  a  pretty  full  attendance  of  the 
school.  My  son  Joseph  rose  and  spoke  from  the  text, 
"A  greater  than  Solomon  is  here,"  on  which  I  thought 
he  enlarged  to  good  purpose  and  in  the  Life,  alluding  to 
those  who  repented  at  the  preaching  of  Jonah;  and  the 
expression  of  the  Queen  of  Sheba,  who  said  the  half  had 
not  been  told  her  of  the  beauty  of  the  Lord's  house  after 
she  had  seen  the  sitting  of  the  King's  servants,  etc.  I 
felt  justified  in  following  my  son,  indorsing  what  he 
said  as  being  in  keeping  with  the  expression  of  the 
Psalmist,  "One  thing  have  I  desired  of  the  Lord,  and 
that  will  I  seek  after,  that  I  might  see  the  beauty  of  the 
Lord  and  inquire  in  his  pavilion.  He  shall  set  my  feet 
upon  a  rock."  I  also  adverted  to  the  difference  with 
which  we  at  times  went  to  meetings,  sometimes  having  a 
sense  that  the  Lord  would  be  pleased  to  meet  with  us, 
and  at  other  times  having  to  wrestle  for  the  blessing, 
brought  to  our  knees,  it  might  be,  before  meeting,  craving 
that  a  measure  of  dignity  and  Divine  influence  might  be 
granted,  knowing  that,  without  Holy  help,  we  could  do 
nothing  to  advance  the  Redeemer's  Kingdom. 

Tenth  month  20.  Extract  from  a  letter  by  J.  S.  E., 
dated  Bethlehem,  Pennsylvania : 


250  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1888 

I  came  to  this  place  on  a  business  trip  for  our  firm, 
having  taken  up  this  week  a  matter  that  has  given  me 
some  traveling  that  was  not  in  a  religious  line.  The 
beauty  of  the  autumn  scene r)^  with  the  changing  foliage, 
on  the  sides  of  the  hills  and  mountains,  and  without  the 
responsibility  of  meetings,  is  having  quite  a  reviving 
effect  on  my  spirit. 

Tenth  month  28.  This  morning,  instead  of  attending 
my  own  meeting  I  inclined  to  go  to  the  Southwark  Li- 
brary, 765-767  South  Second  street,  over  which  were 
gathered  about  one  hundred  Norwegians,  who  assemble 
there  for  worship.  They  have  no  regular  minister,  but 
one  by  request  addresses  them,  and  all  their  vocal  service 
is  conducted  in  the  Norwegian  language.  They  expressed 
a  willingness  that  our  Yearly  Meeting's  Committee  should 
hold  a  meeting  there.  A  considerable  proportion  of  them 
were  sailors. 

Eleventh  month  4.  My  dear  wife  went  to  meeting 
with  me  this  morning.  Mother  Patterson  was  also  there 
and  spoke  with  clearness  and  force,  her  principal  concern 
being  that  we  should  endeavor  to  stand  acquitted  in  the 
great  day  of  account.  I  followed  her,  stating  that  we 
should  unquestionably  all  have  to  stand  before  the  judg- 
ment seat  of  Christ,  who  would  render  to  every  man 
according  as  his  work  shall  be ;  to  those  who,  by  patient 
continuance  in  well  doing,  seek  for  eternal  life,  it  should 
be  given  them. 


Age  58      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  251 

Extract  from  a  letter  by  J.  S.  E.,  dated  Philadelphia, 
Eleventh  month  7,  1888 : 

I  am  not  much  acquainted  with  those  who  call  them- 
selves the  River  Brethren,  but  suppose  them  to  be  closely 
allied  to  the  Mennonites,  amongst  whom  I  have  traveled 
to  a  limited  extent  and  found  them  as  near  like  the 
Society  of  Friends  as  any  people  I  have  met.  On  one 
occasion,  after  one  of  their  ministers  had  spoken  to  some 
length  in  German,  I  followed,  delivering  the  same  in 
English,  although  I  had  no  knowledge  of  what  he  had 
said,  not  being  acquainted  with  the  language.  Last  year 
I  visited  their  meetings  in  two  conferences.  I  think  I 
attended  about  fifty  meetings,  with  an  average  attendance 
of  about  three  hundred.  I  felt  my  mind  drawn  to  the 
River  Brethren,  but  thought  what  I  had  undertaken 
among  the  Mennonites  was  enough  for  one  journey. 

These  vessels  of  ours  are  earthen,  and  there  is  a  limit 
to  our  physical  as  well  as  spiritual  strength.  Whilst  we 
do  not  serve  a  hard  Master,  yet  our  frames  are  frail, 
and  it  is  good  for  us  sometimes  to  go  into  a  desert  place 
and  rest  awhile.  The  disciples  had  to  spend  a  time 
mending  their  nets,  and  my  father,  who  was  an  experi- 
enced elder,  would  speak  of  this  mending  of  the  net  as 
profitable  employment. — ^J.  S.  E. 

Eleventh  month.  In  our  Quarterly  Meeting  one  of 
our  younger  members  appeared  in  supplication.  I  want 
that  charity  and  forbearance  should  be  exercised  towards 
those  who  are  young  in  the  ministry. 


252  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1888 

Eleventh  month  22.  At  Arch  Street  we  had  a  pretty 
large  meeting.  I  felt  there  were  divers  states  and  con- 
ditions, and  those  of  different  capacity,  from  amongst 
whom  I  trusted  there  were  not  a  few  who  came  there 
to  meet  their  Maker,  who  was  able  to  minister  to  our 
several  needs.  My  son  Joseph,  after  a  solid  silence, 
brought  up  the  language  of  the  silversmith,  about  Diana, 
comparing  Diana  to  the  Goddess  of  Fashion,  which, 
though  not  made  of  iron  or  stone,  was  nevertheless  real 
and  was  too  much  worshipped.  He  dwelt  particularly 
on  the  subject  of  simplicity  of  speech,  behavior  and 
apparel.  I  felt  thankful  to  have  a  son  who  is  disposed 
thus  to  advocate  the  cause  of  his  Master.  My  mind 
reverted  to  the  day  when  I  took  my  seat  after  a  com- 
munication that  I  had  delivered,  some  years  ago,  when  it 
seemed  as  if  I  were  made  sensible  of  a  measure  of  the 
Spirit  settling  upon  my  son,  accompanied  with  the  belief 
that  a  part  in  the  work  would  be  given  him ;  and  now 
that  I  have  lived  to  be  confirmed  in  this  matter,  it  is 
attended  with  feelings  of  solemnity ;  that  the  promises  of 
the  Lord  are  sure,  as  also  the  solicitude  I  now  feel  for 
the  extension  of  that  power  which  can  give  or  create, 
also  preserve  and  keep  from  falling. 

Extract  from  a  letter  by  J.  S.  E.,  dated  Eleventh  month 
26,  1888: 

I  feel  an  appointment  on  the  Yearly  Meeting's  Com- 
mittee as  one  of  the  most  absorbing  and  important  trusts 
that  I  have  been  engaged  in,  and  during  the  last  month 


Age  58      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  253 

or  more  we  have  held  divers  appointed  meetings,  as  well 
as  visited  in  some  families,  and  I  think  I  may  say  we 
have  experienced  divine  counsel  and  support  in  the  work. 

Extract  from  a  letter  by  J.  S.  E.,  dated  Twelfth  month 
27,  1888: 

I  have  no  regrets  for  the  time  spent,  either  in  assisting 
others  who  were  in  the  harness,  or  in  whatever  way 
I  may  have  ministered  to  the  necessities  of  the  Saints. 
Would  that  I  had  but  lived  near  the  Master  so  as  tc 
have  been  more  sensible  of  his  mind  and  will  and  been 
a  better  advocate  of  the  blessed  cause,  but  all  I  can 
hope  for  now  is,  that  in  the  mercy  of  our  Heavenly 
Father,  my  sins  of  omission  and  commission  may  be 
forgiven,  and  through  Holy  Help  be  enabled  in  the  little 
remainder  of  days  that  may  be  granted  me,  to  fill  prop- 
erly my  measure  of  service  and  of  suffering. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  joint  committee  of  the  Yearly  and 
Quarterly  Meetings  appointed  to  visit  our  subordinate  Meetings 
and  members,  held  at  Media  the  thirty-first  of  Twelfth  month, 


Our  friends,  Joseph  S.  Elkinton  and  Zebedee  Haines,  having 
opened  a  concern  to  visit  the  families  of  Birmingham  Monthly 
Meeting,  it  was  fully  and  feelingly  united  with,  and  they  encour- 
aged to  proceed  therein  in  the  openings  of  best  wisdom.  Our 
friend,  Joseph  Rhoads,  having  expressed  a  willingness  to  accom- 
pany them,  he  is  left  at  liberty  and  encouraged  to  do  so. 
By  direction  of  the  Committee. 

Edward  G.  S medley.  Clerk. 

First  month  2,  1889.  I  went  to  West  Chester,  in  com- 
pany with  Zebedee  Haines  and  Joseph  Rhoads,  to  attend 
the  Monthly  Meeting.     Our  concern  was  opened  in  the 


254  JOSEPH   S.  EIvKINTON  1889 

Monthly  Meeting  by  presenting  the  minute  granted  us  by 
the  joint  committee  of  the  Yearly  and  Quarterly  Meet- 
ings. There  was  full  unity  expressed  in  a  kind  and  feeling 
manner.  It  is  a  cause  for  humble  gratitude  that  the 
way  is  thus  opened  for  us. 

First  month  4.  Left  Philadelphia  on  the  seven  o'clock 
train,  and  was  joined  later  by  Joseph  Rhoads  and  Zebedee 
Haines,  and  proceeded  to  West  Chester,  where  we  com- 
menced our  visiting  families,  and  before  the  day  was 
over  paid  eight  visits,  meeting  with  an  openness  in  the 
minds  of  those  we  visited,  and  had  cause  to  commemorate 
the  goodness  of  the  Lord  for  the  help  afforded  in  the 
service. 

First  month  J  and  p.  Spent  the  past  three  days  con- 
tinuing visiting  families  in  and  around  West  Chester. 
An  exercising  and  laborious  service,  but  I  trust  not  a 
profitless  one;  for  where  the  presence  of  the  Master  is 
vouchsafed,  it  is  all-sufficient,  but  I  can  think  of  no 
service  where  we  have  more  need  to  keep  near  Him,  for 
we  hourly  need  his  preserving  and  qualifying  Power. 

First  month  13.  Zebedee  Haines  and  I  attended  West 
Chester  Meeting,  in  which  I  was  engaged,  both  in  sup- 
plication and  testimony.  I  was  concerned  that  we  might 
not  hold  the  Truth  in  unrighteousness,  and  that  gifts 
should  be  recognized,  and  that  none  should  pride  them- 
selves in  their  gifts. 

First  month  28.  Attended  the  Monthly  Meeting  at 
Media,  and  dined  at  Clarkson  Sheppard's.    At  the  dinner 


Age  59      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  255 

table,  after  the  first  silence,  C.  S.  said  that  the  Jews 
said  "he  who  did  not  return  thanks  stole  from  the  Al- 
mighty." 

Second  month  i.  Our  granddaughter,  Anna  R.  Elkin- 
ton,  was  born — the  child  of  our  son  William  and  his  wife. 

Second  month  lo.  First-day.  Our  meeting  at  Orange 
Street  seemed  decidedly  larger  than  usual,  and  a  number 
of  strangers  present.  My  son  Joseph  spoke  pretty  early 
in  the  meeting,  his  subject  being  on  "Returning  to 
Bethel."  I  was  in  sympathy  with  his  exercise.  I  com- 
menced speaking  with,  "Are  there  not  those  here  to-day 
who  were  seldom  if  ever  here  before  ?  And  what  brought 
them  ?  Was  it  that  the  prayers  of  some  should  in  meas- 
ure be  answered,  that  if  consistent  with  the  Divine  Will, 
there  might  be  a  gathering,  and  the  meeting  might  be 
held  in  the  Life?  Or  was  it  because  the  Spirit  of  the 
Lord  was  moving  in  the  hearts  of  the  people?  As  mat- 
ter, in  the  outer  creation,  attracts  matter,  so  in  the 
Spiritual  creation  there  is  that  which  draws  together  that 
which  inclines  to  walk  by  the  same  rule,  and  mind  the 
same  thing,  and  to  feed  upon  the  same  Spiritual  Bread 
and  drink  the  same  Spiritual  Drink.  And  if  we  come 
together,  craving  that  the  Lord  would  strengthen  that 
part  in  us  which  reaches  forth,  after  Him,  we  are  then 
near  the  place  of  Worship." 

Second  month  12.  Attended  the  Quarterly  Meeting 
at  Media.  I  took  up  the  last  sentence  of  the  one  who 
spoke  before  me,   "Come  up  to  the  help  of  the  Lord 


256  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i889 

against  the  mighty,"  by  saying,  "If  we  would  come  up 
to  the  help  of  the  Lord  against  the  mighty,"  we  should 
possess  the  right  kind  of  faith,  and  I  enlarged  thereon. 
I  also  said  "we  might  at  times  go  to  our  meetings  under 
a  comfortable  assurance  that  the  Lord  would  favor  us 
with  his  presence;  and  then  we  might  go  in  great  weak- 
ness, but  we  had  better  go  with  what  we  had  to  offer,  if 
it  were  no  more  than  our  time  and  the  disposition  to 
contend  against  wandering  thoughts." 

Second  month  21.  Monthly  Meeting.  Being  released 
from  the  committee  having  charge  of  the  almshouse 
property,  also  that  to  inspect  and  relieve  the  necessities 
of  the  poor,  I  stated  that  after  being  under  such  an 
appointment  about  thirty-five  years,  I  took  it  kindly; 
that  it  was  accepted  as  my  share,  and  that  I  wished  to 
encourage  those  now  appointed  to  the  weighty  trust  com- 
mitted to  them.  The  proceeds  of  the  property  were  for 
the  support  of  the  poor,  and  as  there  was  likely  now  to 
be  a  sufficiency  for  them,  I  hoped  they  would  be  dealt 
with  liberally.  There  are  some  cases  in  their  present 
condition,  from  mismanagement,  and  the  withdrawal  of 
the  Divine  blessing,  and  it  requires  Heavenly  wisdom  to 
deal  properly  with  them;  and  there  are  the  Lord's  poor, 
and  I  would  that,  with  varied  pressure  on  the  mind,  even 
men  of  business  should  not  conclude  they  had  not  time 
to  visit  the  poor.  If  I  had  my  time  to  live  over  again 
I  would  spend  more  of  it  at  the  bedside  of  the  sick. 

Third  month  4.     A  wet  day  for  the  inauguration  of 


Age  59      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  257 

Benjamin  Harrison  as  President  of  the  United  States. 
It  is  reported,  never  have  so  many  been  in  or  about 
Washington.  Amidst  all  the  folly  and  noise,  we  have 
cause  to  be  thankful  that  changes  in  our  rulers  can  be 
effected  as  peaceably  as  they  appear  to  be. 

A  message  to  Elwood  Dean,  extracted  from  a  letter 
by  J.  S.  E.,  Third  month  6,  1889: 

If  it  is  suitable,  tell  thy  dear  husband  I  do  love  him, 
and  having  started  on  the  race  since  he  did,  it  is  possible 
that  I  shall  be  left  on  the  field  a  little  longer,  but  I  hope 
to  press  on  in  the  little  ability  afforded,  endeavoring  to 
fill  up  my  allotted  portion,  and  with  the  humble  petition, 
Lord  give  me  life,  the  best  life,  the  spirit  by  which  we 
can  move  and  act  aright ;  and  if  consistent  with  his  will, 
that  I  may  have  an  increase  of  faith ;  that  as  it  was  with 
those  who  have  finished  their  course  and  obtained  the 
victory,  I  might  serve  my  generation  according  to  the 
Divine  will,  and  that  the  end  of  my  conversation  might 
be  Christ  Jesus,  the  same  yesterday,  to-day  and  forever. 
Dear  mother  Patterson  is  showing  age,  but  she  is  pre- 
served in  the  sweetness  and  with  a  measure  of  the 
Divine  power  that  enables  her  to  bear  the  breaking  up 
of  Nature,  which  may  be  more  or  less  prolonged ;  but 
contentment  in  the  Divine  will  has  been  learned  by  her 
in  the  school  of  Christ.     In  sincerity,  J.  S.  E. 

Fifth  month  ij.  The  evening  previous  to  Concord 
Quarterly  Meeting  we  had  a  very  pleasant  company  at 
Benjamin  Passmore's.     In  the  course  of  the  evening  the 


258  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1889 

80th  Psalm  was  read.  Deborah  Rhoads  felt  impressed 
with  the  favor  we  had  in  the  overshadowing  of  the 
Heavenly  Influence,  and  her  heart,  as  well  as  some 
others,  was  enlarged  toward  some  of  the  younger  ones 
present.  There  was  one  time  in  the  opportunity  when 
I  said  in  my  heart,  "This  is  a  taste  of  Heaven." 

Fifth  month  i8.  My  son  Joseph  leaves  to-day  to  start 
out  with  David  Heston  to  visit  within  the  limits  of  Muncy 
Monthly  Meeting.  May  the  Good  Spirit  be  with  him  so 
that  he  may  know  and  keep  his  place  and  move  in  the 
ordering  of  Best  Wisdom.  It  is  a  comfort  or  joy  to  a 
parent  to  have  a  child  to  walk  in  the  Truth,  and  we  know 
there  is  a  power  which,  if  kept,  will  preserve. 


CHAPTER  X. 

Gospel  Labors  Among  White  and  Colored  People, 
Tenth  month  28.    David  Comfort  and  I  left  Philadel- 
phia at  8.50  A.  M.  for  Tunesassa. 

Tenth  month  2g.  On  our  arrival  at  the  school  we  re- 
ceived a  hearty  welcome  by  the  family.  The  children 
have  not  yet  come  in,  and  there  is  a  prospect  of  a  larger 
number  than  at  any  former  period.  Twenty-five  girls 
and  fifteen  boys  are  expected. 

After  dinner  we  were  taken  to  the  Council  House  at 
Cold  Spring,  where  there  was  a  meeting  of  the  Six 
Nations  being  held.  It  was  near  2  o'clock  when  we 
arrived,  and  they  were  about  to  proceed  with  an  after- 
noon session.  I  was  surprised  there  were  so  few  I  could 
recognize,  Moses  Yellowblanket  being  about  the  only  one. 
After  a  little  time  they  granted  us  an  opportunity  to 
address  them.  I  spoke  at  some  length,  telling  them  I 
had  felt  impressed  to  meet  the  Indians  in  that  place  be- 
fore I  left  home  and  rehearsed  a  little  of  the  intercourse 
which  had  existed  between  our  fathers  and  their  fathers, 
and  delivered  such  matter  as  seemed  to  arise;  afterward 
engaged  in  supplication.  David  Comfort  told  them  he 
was  glad  to  be  with  them,  and  spoke  in  an  affectionate 
manner,  giving  them  weighty  counsel.  They  told  our 
interpreter,  Harrison  Halftown,  to  tell  us  they  thanked 
us  for  the  visit  and  some  of  them,  particularly  the  women, 

259 


260  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i889 

had  been  much  affected  by  what  was  offered  in  the  Hne 
of  prayer.  They  had  never  felt  before  as  they  did  that 
day,  and  the  feeHng  remained  with  them  throughout  the 
day  after  we  left. 

Tenth  month  50.  Spent  the  day  visiting  among  the 
Indians.  We  found  some  sick  and  some  in  sorrow,  and 
a  few  who  had  been  our  best  scholars  at  the  school  were 
apparently  thrifty  and  prosperous,  which  was  encourag- 
ing. When  we  returned  to  the  school  the  children  had 
come  in  from  their  respective  homes.  I  had  an  interest- 
ing talk  with  several  of  the  boys  in  a  room  fitted  up  for 
their  accommodation. 

Tenth  month  ji.  We  visited  the  school  before  meeting 
and  heard  the  children  read  the  Bible  and  recite.  In  the 
latter  exercise  one  child  surprised  me  by  the  amount  she 
had  committed  to  memory  and  the  manner  she  delivered 
one  of  the  deep  chapters  of  Revelations.  Our  meeting 
was  an  impressive  one.  The  afternoon  was  spent  in  the 
schools.  We  were  especially  interested  in  the  exercises 
on  the  blackboards  in  mathematics  and  etymology.  Good 
progress  has  been  made. 

Eleventh  month  i.  After  breakfast,  David  Comfort 
and  I  bid  farewell  at  the  school  and  turned  our  faces 
homeward. 

Eleventh  month  4.  At  our  Quarterly  Meeting  an  un- 
usual number  of  ministers  were  present,  I  was  told 
twenty-six  acknowledged  ministers,  some  of  whom  were 


Age  59      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  261 

members  of  the  Yearly  Meeting's  Committee  and  some 
from  a  distance. 

Twelfth  month  5.  During  the  past  several  years  I 
have  copied  from  accessible  papers  matter  concerning 
the  Indians  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  United  States, 
mostly  taken  from  the  minutes  of  the  Indian  Committee, 
abstracting  the  points  of  importance  and  having  them 
copied  on  uniform  sized  paper.  I  have  had  them  bound 
in  ten  volumes.  The  original  object  in  copying  them 
was  to  have  them  in  convenient  shape  for  reference, 
hoping  also  that  I  might  have  a  son  to  succeed  me  in 
the  Indian  work.  But  upon  more  mature  consideration 
I  concluded  to  present  the  volumes  to  the  Indian  Com- 
mittee. After  recopying  such  parts  as  were  obtained 
from  other  sources  than  the  unpublished  papers  of  the 
committee,  I  delivered  eight  volumes  to  George  J.  Scat- 
tergood,  clerk  of  the  Indian  Committee. 

I  have  a  concern  to  do  what  in  me  lies  in  the  direction 
of  setting  my  house  in  order,  which  in  nowise  hinders 
one  from  living,  if  the  Lord  is  pleased  to  grant  us  a  con- 
tinuance in  this  state  of  being  a  little  longer. 

I  remarked  to  G.  J.  S.  that  if  my  children  behave  in  a 
worthy  manner,  I  would  wish  them  to  be  allowed  access 
to  the  above  volumes  for  reference,  if  they  should  desire. 

First  month  2,  i8po.  I  have  continued  my  reading  in 
George  Fox's  Doctrinal  Works,  to  my  instruction  and 
admiration,  as  to  how  he  was  strengthened  for  the  work 
of  his  day  in  addressing  those  in  authority,  even  the 


262  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i890 

heads  of  government  and  the  pope,  to  whom  he  was 
very  plain. 

First  month  6.  Our  dear  friend  Joseph  Scattergood 
is  no  more,  having  departed  this  hfe  yesterday  afternoon 
— a  great  loss  to  the  Church,  and  Israel  may  well  mourn 
and  doubtless  will.  He  was  valiant  for  the  Truth  upon 
the  earth. 

A  newspaper  clipping  which  was  preserved  by  J.  S.  E. : 

There  has  been  a  Conference  sitting  at  Chickering 
Hall,  which  began  on  Monday  evening,  and  continued 
during  the  next  two  days,  in  obedience  to  a  call  signed 
by  many  of  the  prominent  clergymen  and  churchgoers 
in  the  city.  The  fact  which  has  called  them  together 
is  this: 

"The  population  of  New  York  city  has  for  years  been 
steadily  and  rapidly  increasing,  while  at  the  same  time 
the  number  of  churches  has  been  relatively  decreasing. 
In  1840  there  was  one  Protestant  church  to  every  2,000 
people;  in  1880,  one  to  3,000;  in  1887,  one  to  4.000." 

Each  one  will  interpret  this  fact  in  his  own  way.  That 
it  means  something  by  no  means  pleasant  or  hopeful, 
however,  every  one  will  agree.  The  churches  contain  a 
very  large  proportion  of  the  wealth,  intelligence,  public 
spirit  and  right-mindedness  of  the  community.  They  are, 
if  not  the  only,  the  chief  organizations  we  have,  whose 
direct  aim  is  to  exert,  in  the  highest  sense,  a  civilizing 
influence.     If  they  are  not  multiplying  in  proportion  to 


Age  60      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  263 

population,  therefore,  it  means  that  the  forces  of  bar- 
barism are  in  some  degree  gaining  on  us. 

It  would  appear  from  the  call  to  the  conference  that 
the  churches  are  at  last  beginning  to  understand  that 
they  have  ceased,  or  are  rapidly  ceasing,  to  be  a  puri- 
fying and  agressive  power,  and  that  something  needs 
to  be  done  about  it ;  in  other  words,  that  if  they  mean 
to  hold  their  own  as  moral  and  religious  agencies,  they 
must,  once  for  all,  cease  to  be  what  too  many  of  the 
Protestant  churches  are — pleasant  and  fashionable  Sun- 
day clubs,  where  wearied  business  men  have  their  intel- 
lectual palates  tickled  once  a  week  with  good  music, 
good  society  and  soothing  reflections  on  life,  and  death 
and  judgment. 

Some  of  them  have  tried,  with  much  outlay  and  labor, 
to  do  their  duty  towards  the  city  poor  and  ignorant, 
by  establishing  missions  and  outlying  chapels,  and  so 
forth,  and  some  of  the  subjects  set  down  for  addresses 
at  the  conference  seemed  to  indicate  a  conviction  that 
what  is  needed  is  a  further  extension  of  this  system  of 
missionary  effort.  We  may  instance  the  following  as 
being  suggestive  of  such  effort:  "The  Bohemian  Ele- 
ment," "The  Italian  Element,"  "The  Colored  Element," 
"Our  Duty  to  the  Foreign  Population." 

One  of  the  things  we  hope  for  from  the  conference  is 
a  great  clearing  of  both  the  clerical  and  lay  mind  on 
this  subject.  The  poor  and  ignorant,  and  barbarous,  and 
anarchical,  and  indifferent  of  this  city,  or  of  any  other, 


264  JOSEPH   S.   EIvKINTON  i890 

are  not  what  they  were  fifty  or  one  hundred  years  ago. 
They  cannot  be  any  longer  won,  or  persuaded,  or  raised, 
by  simple  preaching,  or  even  by  almsgiving.  They  have 
become  too  knowing  or  too  cunning  for  that.  They  are 
envious  and  suspicious  of  the  rich  and  well-to-do,  and 
they  are  tired  of  the  old  gospel  of  contentment  when 
delivered  by  people  who  have  all  the  comforts  this  world 
can  give.  Nothing  touches  them  nowadays  but  the  spec- 
tacle of  self-sacrifice.  Therefore  no  impression,  or  very 
little  impression,  can  be  made  on  them  by  churches 
which  worship  in  fashionable  quarters,  on  $100,000  lots 
in  $500,000  buildings,  in  which  sittings  are  bought  and 
sold  with  a  heavy  brokerage  to  the  sexton,  at  enormous 
prices,  and  reserved  for  occupation  by  the  owner  as  jeal- 
ously as  his  private  parlor,  in  which  the  music  is  hired  at 
the  cost  of  an  opera  troupe  in  a  small  German  city,  and 
discussed  in  the  same  temper  and  with  the  same  standard 
that  people  apply  to  Patti  or  Nilsson. 

It  is  impossible  to  persuade  a  poor  man  that  these  are 
really  religious  organizations,  and  that  they  are  really 
meant  to  show  mankind  the  way  to  Heaven.  Nor  can 
they  "corner"  a  poor  man  by  asking  him,  as  some  church- 
goers do  occasionally,  how  it  would  be  possible  to  "run 
the  church,"  human  nature  being  what  it  is,  without 
selling  the  pews  at  high  rates,  if  not,  as  in  some  cases, 
to  the  highest  bidders.  He  will  not  argue  this  point.  He 
says  it  is  for  Christians  to  find  out  how  to  make  room  for 
him  at  God's  altar,  and  he  makes  merry  over  spiritual 


Age  60      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  265 

insight  which  is  unequal  to  the  solution  of  this  extremely 
earthly  problem. 

In  short,  the  attack  on  the  "Bohemian  Element,"  and 
the  "Italian  Element,"  and  the  "Colored  Element,"  must 
begin  in  the  churches  themselves  by  the  display  of  greater 
simplicity  and  of  greater  indifiference  to  money,  and  by 
some  approach,  for  at  least  one  day  in  the  week,  to  the 
asceticism  which  once  conquered  the  world. 

Two  or  three  Protestant  churches  have  made  a  step 
in  this  direction,  and  we  know  of  nothing  in  the  religious 
worship  of  the  city  which  is  half  so  moving  as  the  spec- 
tacle they  present  when  crowded  on  Sunday  with  a  plain 
and  even  shabbily  dressed  multitude,  who  truly  know 
what  that  weight  of  care  is 

"That  crushes  into  dumb  despair 
One  half  the  human  race." 

But  the  two  or  three  which  have  turned  over  a  new 
leaf  work  under  great  disadvantages  as  long  as  the 
majority,  a  few  blocks  away,  continue  to  carry  out  the 
club  idea;  and  pastor  and  people  give  Satan  full  swing 
during  the  hot  summer  months,  when  the  poor  swelter 
and  their  children  perish  in  the  tenement  houses.  There 
cannot  be  two  standards  of  fitness  in  Christian  life.  If 
the  free  church  be  the  real  thing,  there  must,  the  poor 
man  will  say,  be  something  wrong  with  its  blessings  and 
promises.  In  short,  if  religious  organizations  are  to 
make  any  impression  on  the  masses  of  ignorance  and 
barbarism  which  are  accumulating  in  New  York,  they 


266  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1891 

must  work  under  a  common  discipline  and  with  the  same 
outward  signs  of  sincerity  and  good  faith. — Quoted  with 
approval  from  The  Nation. 

First  month  i,  i8pi.  Our  daughter  Mary  and  Inazo 
Nitobe  were  married  this  day. 

First  month  12,  1891.  This  day  our  daughter  left  us  for 
Japan.  On  parting  with  her,  the  only  expression  to 
which  I  could  give  utterance  was,  'Thou  are  my  daugh- 
ter, and  I  love  thee." 

Fifth  month  7.  Went  to  Wilmington  Monthly  Meet- 
ing, and  in  the  meeting  for  business  after  the  minute  was 
read  liberating  Jonathan  E.  Rhoads  to  appoint  and  attend 
meetings  in  Delaware  and  Maryland  within  the  limits  of 
our  Yearly  Meeting,  I  stated  that  I  also  had  obtained  a 
minute  to  accompany  him,  and  desired  we  might  have  a 
place  in  their  thoughts,  for  whilst  the  Divine  support 
was  what  we  were  to  depend  upon,  yet  it  was  a  help  to 
have  the  sympathetic  interest  of  our  friends. 

The  following  letter  was  received  from  Abraham 
No-Heart,  one  of  the  Indian  delegates  who  were  at  my 
house  some  weeks  ago  after  having  been  at  Washington : 

Cheyenne  River  Agency,  April  18,  1891. 
Joseph  S.  Elkinton, 

My  Friend:  I  will  now  say  something  to  you,  how 
we  are  doing.  I  will  tell  you  something  of  which  the 
Dakotas  believe  very  much.  We,  the  Indians,  believe 
God's  Word  is  on  earth,  and  now  for  many  years  a 
number  of  the  Indians  have  been  turning  themselves  to 


Age  61      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE         267 

the  church  of  God;  and  now  about  half  of  the  people 
are  thus  prepared  to  walk  in  the  Truth  in  the  future, 
and  we  know  that  this  is  good  for  the  people,  therefore 
we  desire  to  send  and  do  send  our  children  to  get  learn- 
ing that  we  may  walk  with  them  hereafter  with  glad 
hearts.  The  old  notions  of  our  people  we  no  longer  like, 
and  I  constantly  hear  our  people  talking  of  God's  Word, 
etc.,  and  their  idea  of  its  being  alone  good  for  them. 
More  than  half  of  the  people  dress  as  white  men.  I 
remember  my  coming  with  others  to  your  house  and 
your  good  words,  and  I  wish  all  our  people  walked  in 
the  Truth.     I  shake  hands  with  you  from  my  heart. 

Abraham  No-Heart. 
Fifth  month  i8.  Jonathan  E.  Rhoads  and  I  went  to 
Dover  and  visited  the  prison.  The  first  person  we  were 
brought  face  to  face  with  was  a  man  condemned  to  death, 
his  sentence  to  be  executed  next  month.  It  was  a  shock 
to  be  thus  brought  into  contact  with  one  in  his  circum- 
stances, but  we  endeavored  to  speak  to  him  in  the  ability 
afforded  and  of  the  need  of  repentance  and  coming  to 
be  at  peace  with  our  Maker.  Wt  would  desire  the  law 
might  be  changed  which  in  Delaware  has  yet  three  dif- 
ferent offenses  punishable  with  death.  Whilst  some 
advance  has  been  made  there  is  much  room  for  improve- 
ment. Capital  punishment,  the  whipping  post  and  the 
heavy  chains  which  still  seem  to  be  in  use,  belong  to  a 
barbarous  age  and  should  be  discarded.  We  spoke  to  a 
number  collected  and  playing  cards,  and  to  others  in 


268  JOSEPH  S.   ELKINTON  1891 

their  private  cells.  It  was  sad  and  heavy  work  talking 
with  these  men,  and  we  left  the  prison  feeling  much 
reduced  in  our  physical  strength. 

Fifth  month  24.  First-day  morning,  Harrington,  Dela- 
ware. Remembering  the  pressing  invitation  received 
yesterday  from  the  two  pastors,  J.  C.  Casey  and  John 
A.  B.  Wilson  (presiding  elder),  to  come  and  worship 
with  them  at  their  place  of  worship  this  morning,  I  said 
to  J.  E.  R.,  I  believed  it  was  made  in  sincerity  and  I 
found  he  felt  prepared  to  go  there.  I  never  went  to  a 
meeting  for  worship  under  the  same  circumstances,  but 
when  I  witnessed  the  fervency  and  comprehensiveness 
with  which  J.  E.  R.  was  engaged  in  supplication,  I 
thought  we  were  in  our  right  place.  After  the  presiding 
elder,  J.  A.  B.  Wilson,  finished  his  discourse,  he  gave  us 
an  opportunity  to  express  ourselves.  After  the  meeting 
he  expressed  himself  as  having  been  much  impressed 
with  what  was  offered,  and  gave  us  the  following  letter 
of  introduction  to  show  any  Methodist  minister  in  the 
Dover  district,  to  help  us  in  our  travels : 

Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

Wilmington  Conference,  Dover  District. 

John  A.  B.  Wilson,  Presiding  Elder. 

Fifth  month  24,  1891. 
To  any  Methodist  Episcopal  Pastor  in  Dover  District. 

Dear  Brethren  :  This  will  introduce  Jonathan  E.  Rhoads 
and  Joseph  S.  Elkinton,  ministers  of  the  Society  of  Friends. 
You  can  safely  and  I  think  wisely  extend  to  them  the  courtesy 
of  your  church  and  pulpit.  They  are  not  Presbyters,  but  min- 
isters of  Christ,  who  feel  that  they  have  a  message  from  God 


Age  61      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  269 

unto  the  people.  They  will  do  us  good,  not  evil,  wherever  they 
come.  They  go  forth  on  this  mission  at  their  own  charge.  Can 
you  assist  them  in  finding  a  quiet  boarding  place,  enabling  them 
to  avoid  the  hotels  where  liquor  is  sold? 

"Beloved,  thou  doest  faithfully  by  whatsoever  thou  doest  to 
the  brethren  and  strangers  which  have  been  witness  of  thy 
charity  before  the  Church,  whom  if  thou  bring  forward  on  their 
journey  after  a  Godly  sort,  thou  shalt  do  well,  because  that  for 
His  name's  sake,  they  went  forth,  taking  nothing  of  the  Gentiles ; 
we  therefore  are  to  receive  such  that  we  might  be  fellow-helpers 
to  the  Truth."— 3  John  5-8. 

Your  Brother, 

John  A.  B.  Wilson. 
Sixth  month  2.  I  went  to  Salisbury  to  make  arrange- 
ments for  holding  a  meeting  in  that  place.  I  proceeded 
to  the  court  house,  which  is  the  most  pretentious  structure 
of  its  kind  I  have  seen  since  I  left  home,  and  inquired 
for  the  president  of  the  county  commissioners,  but  was 
told  he  had  gone  to  dinner,  but  the  whole  board  of  com- 
missioners would  be  in  session  for  about  an  hour.  I 
returned  later  and  found  the  president  of  the  board 
seated  with  the  other  commissioners  and  an  outside  party, 
who  seemed  to  be  a  man  of  note,  who  said,  when  I  made 
known  my  errand,  ''You  will  excuse  my  freedom,  but 
that  man  has  a  face  that  you  had  better  let  him  have 
what  he  wants.  I  think  he  is  a  Quaker ;  and  the  Presby- 
terians are  a  good  deal  like  the  Quakers  in  one  point, 
and  that  is,  they  get  a  good  deal  in  the  silent,  secret  and 
sacred  moments."  I  remarked  those  sacred  moments 
are  of  great  account  to  us  when  we  get  them.      The 


270  JOSEPH  S.   ELKINTON  i891 

"board"  granted  me  the  use  of  the  court  house  for  a 
meeting  to  be  held  on  the  Fifth-day  evening. 

At  our  meeting  last  evening  there  were  four  minis- 
ters of  other  societies  present,  all  of  whom  seemed  much 
impressed  and  expressed  their  satisfaction.  Quite  a 
number  came  up  to  us  after  meeting  to  inquire  into  the 
views  of  Friends,  notwithstanding  J.  E.  R.  at  the  close 
of  the  meeting  expressed  his  desire,  that  if  any  had  par- 
taken of  any  crumbs  of  Living  Bread,  that  they  would 
not  enter  into  much  conversation,  but  "gather  up  the 
fragments." 

Sixth  month  4.  Salisbury.  As  I  was  walking  on  the 
street  this  afternoon,  after  seeing  that  all  necessary 
preparations  had  been  made  for  our  meeting  this  evening 
in  the  court  house,  I  was  accosted  by  the  Episcopalian 
minister,  who  said  he  supposed  I  was  one  of  the  Friends, 
and  he  was  very  glad,  he  said,  for  us  to  come  and  try 
to  do  what  we  could,  and  he  was  willing  to  help  us. 
Well,  then,  I  said,  if  he  could  find  some  one  who  knew 
the  people  well  to  assist  in  properly  seating  them,  that 
would  be  a  help.  "That  I  will,"  he  said,  "and  I  will 
bring  my  ushers  and  will  be  there  myself  a  half  hour 
before  the  time,  that  you  can  consult  me  about  anything 
you  wish,  for  you  may  be  assured  the  court  house  will 
be  full." 

It  would  now  seem  that  about  all  that  is  wanting  is 
for  J.  E.  R.  and  myself  to  be  rightly  prostrated  before 
the  Lord,  seeking  to  know  his  will  and  craving  his  help. 


Age  61      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  271 

Sixth  month  5.  It  was  a  large  meeting  last  evening, 
and  the  Episcopal  minister,  with  his  two  ushers,  were 
there  and  the  people  well  seated.  J.  E.  R.  was  very- 
plain  in  the  ministry,  and  while  we  were  both  speaking 
we  had  the  attention  of  the  people  as  if  there  were  that 
being  poured  out  that  was  different  from  that  to  which 
they  had  been  accustomed. 

Sixth  month  7.  Princess  Ann.  Soon  after  breakfast 
we  went  to  the  jail,  where  we  had  an  interesting  inter- 
view with  the  deputy  sheriff  and  his  wife,  after  which 
we  were  given  an  opportunity  with  the  prisoners,  who 
were  assembled  in  one  room  for  us.  I  began  by  saying 
that  there  was  a  chord  in  every  man's  heart  that  might 
be  touched  or  moved  unless  they  had  become  so  hardened 
as  to  be  past  all  feeling;  and  after  finishing  what  I  had 
to  say,  J.  E.  R.  spoke,  but  was  interrupted  by  a  strong, 
lusty  man,  who  had  a  terrible  passion  for  fighting,  on 
which  account  he  was  in  jail.  He  had  indeed  a  fiery 
spirit.  He  called  out,  "If  any  man  turns  his  nose  up  at 
me  for  being  in  prison,  I'll  knock  him  down !"  For  a 
moment  the  situation  was  a  little  critical,  but  I  felt  thank- 
ful J-  E.  R.  held  his  own  and  was  not  particularly  jostled. 
By  the  time  J.  E.  R.  was  through,  the  man  softened  a 
little  and  said,  "Well,  you  talk  a  little  different  from 
some  of  the  preachers,"  and  then,  turning  to  one  beside 
him,  said,  "What  did  that  last  preacher  who  was  here 
say  ?"  The  one  beside  him  answered,  "The  Depravity  of 
the  Human  Heart,"   and   the  old  fighter  said,   "and   I 


272  JOSEPH  S.   ELKINTON  iS9l 

cleared  him  out  in  a  hurry;  now  I  just  tell  you  if  a  man 
insults  me  I  am  going  to  thrash  him."  He  then  went  on 
to  say  he  was  a  Christian,  but  he  would  thrash  anybody 
who  insulted  him.  There  was  no  use  in  being  a  coward. 
I  replied,  "There  might  be  more  bravery  and  fortitude  in 
knowing  how  to  bear  an  injury  without  resenting  it,  and 
if  the  Christian  religion  governs  us,  we  will  not  resent." 
I  felt  a  motion  in  the  line  of  prayer,  but  thought  it  might 
be  taking  that  man  a  little  farther  than  he  would  bear, 
or  giving  the  nail  one  stroke  too  many  and  the  board 
be  split,  but  J.  E.  R.  engaged  in  it,  first  that  the  keeper  of 
the  prison  might  have  Divine  support  and  then  on  behalf 
of  the  prisoners,  and  that  lusty  fighter  went  upon  his 
knees.  We  came  ofif  peaceably,  taking  the  man  by  the 
hand;  but  to  be  locked  up  with  such  desperadoes  does 
make  us  want  to  know  what  we  are  there  for. 

From  there  we  were  taken  to  the  county  house,  about 
three  miles  off,  where  we  found  several  grave  cases  of 
illness  and  things  generally,  on  account  thereof,  in  poor 
condition,  which  we  reported  to  the  deputy  sheriff  on  our 
return  to  Princess  Ann,  and  he  promised  to  send  one  of 
the  county  commissioners  over  there  to  investigate  the 
state  of  things,  which  he  did. 

Sixth  month  8.  At  Crisfield  we  walked  along  the 
shore  among  the  oyster-packing  establishments,  but  not 
an  oyster  have  I  seen  in  the  place,  in  the  shell  or  out  of 
it,  it  being  out  of  season,  but  large  piles  of  shells  were 
in  evidence.    We  were  told  that  this  is  the  greatest  oyster 


Age  61      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  273 

packing  place  in  the  United  States  next  to  Baltimore,  and 
there  are  seven  hundred  oyster  vessels  belonging  to  it. 
We  went  into  one  of  the  packing  houses,  where  there 
was  a  woman  packing  up  soft-shelled  crabs  for  the 
Chicago  market.  She  sent  her  son  out  with  us  in  a  little 
boat  where  these  crabs  were  in  the  pens  shedding  their 
shells.     It  was  an  interesting  sight. 

I  had  an  interesting  conversation  with  the  man  who 
was  the  tender  of  the  drawbridge  into  the  crab-pond  and 
who  hailed  me,  saying  he  wanted  to  know  what  subject  I 
was  going  to  illustrate  to-night.  Oh,  I  told  him  he  knew 
about  as  much  as  I  could  tell  him ;  that  we  Friends  never 
prepare  our  sermons,  and  I  could  not  tell  whether  I  would 
have  any  subject  to  speak  on  or  not.  I  gave  him  what 
tracts  I  had  with  me,  and  he  promised  to  distribute  them 
after  reading  them  himself. 

Sixth  month  14.  In  traveling,  we  often  have  the  in- 
firmities of  flesh  to  contend  with.  The  eating  of  so  much 
pork  does  not  suit  us,  but  these  things  are  not  worthy 
of  mention  if  we  can  only  experience  in  a  little  measure 
the  flowings  of  that  Life  which  William  Penn  speaks  of 
characterizing  meetings  held  in  his  day,  and  in  one  of 
these  described  as  being  held  in  the  Meeting-house  at 
Third  Haven,  when  there  were  one  thousand  persons 
present,  in  which  Lord  and  Lady  Baltimore  came  in  late. 
William  Penn  said,  "The  flowing  of  Life  was  passing 
off  the  meeting,"  when  Lady  Baltimore  expressed  her 
disappointment,  for  she  said  to  William  Penn,  "We  ex- 


274  JOSEPH   S.   EI.KINTON  i891 

pect  you  can  preach,  you  have  talent,  but  I  wanted  to 
hear  some  of  the  ploughmen  preach,"  to  which  William 
Penn  replied,  "Some  of  the  ploughmen  and  rustics  are 
amongst  our  best  preachers." 

Sixth  month  2j.  Federalsburg.  Upon  our  arrival  here 
we  found  that  the  message  sent  by  mail  for  an  appoint- 
ment here  this  evening  had  not  been  received,  so  it  gave 
us  some  concern.  In  an  interview  with  the  Presbyterian 
minister  he  kindly  gave  consent  to  our  using  his  place  of 
worship  and,  meeting  the  Methodist  pastor  on  the  street, 
he  offered  to  do  what  he  could  to  help  us.  We  hastily 
filled  out  notices  and  had  them  distributed.  The  land- 
lady of  the  hotel  told  us  it  was  a  poor  time  for  holding  a 
meeting,  for  the  ladies  were  all  going  to  meet  this  evening 
to  drill  for  the  fourth  of  next  month,  but  we  thought 
it  best  to  go  on  with  our  meeting. 

At  the  appointed  time  we  repaired  to  the  place  where 
our  meeting  was  to  be  held,  and  after  a  while  the  people 
began  to  come  in,  and  it  was  astonishing  how  the  house 
filled  up.  I  heard  afterward  that  the  Methodist  minister 
sent  word  to  his  congregation,  who  were  to  have  a 
prayer-meeting,  to  postpone  that  and  come  to  ours,  and 
an  aged  Methodist,  about  seventy-five,  went  to  where  the 
women  were  assembled  to  drill  and  told  them  they  had 
better  drop  that  and  go  at  once  to  the  meeting  we  had 
appointed,  and  there  was  some  other  gathering  induced 
to  adjourn  and  come  to  ours;  and  it  was  thought  we  had 
a  representative  from  every  family  in  the  place.    J.  E.  R. 


Age  61      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  275 

acknowledged  after  meeting  that  he  had  never  felt  more 
freedom  in  the  ministry,  and  his  prayer  was  one  in  which 
any  righteous  person  could  take  satisfaction. 

Seventh  month  2Q.  Returned  home  near  noon.  Had 
a  friendly  interview  with  our  Mayor,  Edwin  Stuart.  The 
drift  of  what  I  said  to  him  was  to  encourage  him  to  do 
what  he  could  for  the  suppression  of  vice.  He  mani- 
fested a  very  kindly  spirit,  telling  me  that  he  would  make 
way  for  a  visit  any  time  I  wished  to  see  him. 

Eighth  month  i6.  Among  the  incidents  told  recently 
at  the  time  of  the  funeral  of  Bishop  Campbell  (colored) 
was  one  of  Theodore  Gould,  whom  I  have  thought  as 
deep  a  minister  as  any  I  have  met  among  the  colored 
people.  At  one  time  he  (T.  G.)  was  given  to  tampering 
with  liquor.  The  bishop  told  him  if  he  did  not  quit  that 
the  Lord  would  kill  him;  the  Lord  wanted  him  for  the 
ministry.  T.  G.  said,  'T  knew  that  before  he  told  me." 
He  gave  up  the  liquor,  and  after  being  in  the  ministry 
awhile  at  Trenton,  he  became  discouraged  and  felt  he 
v/as  useless,  so  he  went  to  Bishop  Campbell  and  told  him 
to  put  a  better  man  in  his  place  and  let  him  return  to  his 
former  occupation.  The  bishop  nodded  his  head  while 
T.  G.  was  talking  as  if  he  took  it  all  in,  and  T,  G.  sup- 
posed he  would  assent  to  the  proposition,  but  the  bishop 
said,  "Young  man,  I  like  to  hear  you  speak  that  way,  for 
most  young  ministers  feel  very  competent,  but  when  they 
feel  their  own  insufficiency  the  Lord  is  likely  to  make 
something  of  them.    You  go  and  do  your  work,  and  the 


276  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1891 

Lord  help  you;  and  if  you  come  back  with  the  same  story 
I  will  send  you  back  again.  Only  let  me  say  to  you,  don't 
expect  to  do  all  your  work  at  once." 

Eighth  month  2/.  Monthly  Meeting.  In  the  second 
meeting  I  delivered  up  my  minute  granted  me  in  the 
Fourth  month  and  reported  that,  joined  with  Jonathan 
E.  Rhoads,  we  had  public  meetings  in  that  part  of  the 
peninsula  that  was  embraced  in  the  limits  of  our  Yearly 
Meeting,  and  we  had  cause  to  be  thankful  for  the  manner 
in  which  way  was  made  for  us  and  the  measure  of  Divine 
influence  granted  us ;  especially  as  the  testimony  was 
plain  against  unitarianism,  and  priestcraft,  and  J.  E.  R. 
was  emphatically  bold  against  war  and  the  manufacture 
of  instruments  of  cruelty.  There  were  not  many  colored 
people  at  the  public  meetings,  so  we  attended  a  number 
of  their  meetings  and  were  kindly  received.  We  had 
many  interviews  with  ministers  of  other  denominations. 
We  also  visited  the  jails  and  almshouses,  some  of  which 
were  conducted  behind  the  intelligence  of  the  age.  In 
our  intercourse  and  correspondence  with  those  in  author- 
ity or  whom  we  thought  might  have  an  influence  we 
pleaded  for  amelioration. 

There  were  but  few  living  representatives  of  our 
Society  in  that  section  of  the  country,  but,  notwithstand- 
ing, there  was  a  great  regard  felt  for  the  Society  of 
Friends,  and  I  trust  we  left  an  open  door  behind  us. 
The  report  was  accepted  and  satisfaction  expressed. 

Ninth  month  j.     This  is  the  thirty-fifth  anniversary 


Age  61      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  277 

of  our  wedding  day,  during  which  time  we  have  seen 
many  of  the  exercises  of  Hfe,  but  have  cause  for  thank- 
fulness that  we  are  still  spared  to  each  other  and  have 
been  recipients  of  many  mercies. 

Tenth  month  24.  Had  a  comfortable  time  this  evening 
with  dear  mother  Patterson.  She  spoke  of  the  tendency 
of  the  times  to  live  too  much  without  that  watchfulness 
of  spirit  which  should  mark  our  lives,  yet  she  believed 
there  was  a  spirit  at  work  which  would  restore  the  right 
feeling.  Her  remarks  in  general  were  very  comforting 
to  me. 

Tenth  month  2j.  As  our  morning  meeting  gathered 
I  was  comforted,  tendered  and  contrited,  and  I  might 
say  it  had  a  soul-satisfying  effect,  to  feel  that  same  sense 
of  Divine  covering  and  power  that  was  felt  when  I  was 
in  my  rising  manhood,  say  some  forty  years  ago,  was 
still  to  be  felt  in  our  assemblies. 

Twelfth  month.  I  would  wish  to  be  less  weighted  in 
the  evening  of  my  day,  not  so  much  to  be  out  of  work, 
but  that  the  mind  may  be  more  free  for  contemplation 
and  religious  service,  if  the  Lord  should  be  pleased  to 
use  me;  but  communion  with  Him  is  what  I  would  wish 
to  have  my  delight  in,  so  far  as  it  is  His  pleasure  to  favor 
me  therewith. 

First  month  i,  i8p2.  I  went  out  about  noon  to-day  and 
was  grieved  with  the  sight  of  multitudes  in  grotesque  and 
fantastic  dress.  The  sidewalks  were  crowded  with  spec- 
tators.    How  illy  befitting  the  times,  when  so  many  are 


278  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1892 

prostrated  with  the  epidemic  (la  grippe),  also  suffering 
the  privation  which  poverty  entails.  For,  as  it  is  right- 
eousness that  exalteth  a  nation,  so  sin  is  a  reproach  to 
any  people ;  so  we  cannot  but  feel  that  the  blessings  of 
the  Lord  will,  in  a  measure,  be  withheld  because  of 
unrighteousness ;  still,  we  must  believe  that  for  the  elect's 
sake,  mercy  will  be  extended,  and  that  in  the  compas- 
sionate love  of  the  Redeemer  the  manifestation  of  the 
Good  Spirit  will  be  given  unto  man,  and  we  will  hope 
there  will  be  a  turning  of  the  hearts  of  some  of  the 
people  unto  the  Lord. 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Jonathan  E.  Rhoads  to  Joseph 
S.  Elkinton : 

Wilmington,  First  month  20,  1892. 
Joseph  S.  Elkinton, 

Dear  Friend:  I  think  our  hearts  must  have  been 
mutually  turned  towards  each  other  at  nearly  the  same 
time,  as  I  had  been  thinking  of  thee,  and  almost  wishing 
I  could  have  a  visit  from  thee  this  week.  But  now  I  have 
the  next  best  thing — a  loving  and  sympathizing  letter. 

It  truly  makes  me  feel  of  very  little  account  to  be 
laid  by,  entirely  dependent  on  others  for  care  and  subject 
to  the  direction  of  a  doctor  and  nurse,  however  excellent 
they  may  be.  But  one  can  be  helped  to  look  at  the  other 
side  of  the  situation  and  feel  thankful  for  the  unmerited 
favor  of  being  provided  for  at  such  a  time  of  weakness 
and  liability  to  serious  disease,  realizing  that,  as  in  many 
instances  within  our  knowledge  its  results  have  proved 


Age  62      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  279 

fatal ;  so  with  ourselves,  a  want  of  care  and  due  submis- 
sion to  restraints  that  are  prescribed  by  those  whose 
judgment  demands  respect,  may  prematurely  cut  the 
thread  of  life,  ere  the  designs  of  a  gracious  Providence 
are  fulfilled  as  to  one's  complete  service  in  this  world. 

In  such  times  of  seclusion  from  the  active  duties  of 
life  may  indeed  be  found  deep  instruction  in  the  knowl- 
edge that  it  is  so  important  we  should  rightly  learn; 
and  a  deeper  insight  may  be  given  us  into  our  true  rela- 
tion to  our  Lord  and  Master,  and  by  a  full  submission  of 
our  whole  being  to  his  disposal,  learn  to  leave  the 
direction  of  all  events  that  concern  us  to  Him,  as  well 
as  the  guidance  of  our  efforts  in  the  furtherance  of  his 
cause  of  Truth  and  Righteousness. 

Those  of  other  persuasions  have  their  organized 
methods  and  concerted  plans  for  religious  labor  which 
often  meet  with  much  success.  For  us  who  profess  in 
an  eminent  degree  to  rely  upon  Him  who  is  Head  over 
all  to  his  Church,  there  is  no  safe  plan  to  pursue,  but  to 
depend  upon  his  going  before  us  and  leading  in  that 
way  which  He  will  cast  up  step  by  step  for  his  dependent 
followers. 

As  to  my  present  state  of  health,  while  I  have  recov- 
ered so  far  as  to  be  down  stairs,  it  does  not  seem  prudent 
to  expose  myself  to  this  wintry  weather;  nor  does  my 
strength  give  promise  of  doing  efficient  labor.  It  has 
been  a  plain  case  of  the  prevailing  distemper  without 
violent  symptoms,  but  accompanied  with  loss  of  strength. 


280  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i892 

So  far  as  recovery  has  taken  place,  there  has  been  no 
set-back,  and  I  hope  soon  to  resume  my  ordinary  occu- 
pation. 

Thy  superior  energy  and  strength  of  purpose  have 
carried  thee  through  much  unselfish  toil  for  the  good  of 
others,  and  I  have  no  doubt  thy  reward  comes  with  it. 

It  would  be  our  natural  desire  in  these  times,  when 
faithful  laborers  are  few,  that  such  as  have  been  rightly 
prepared  and  proved  might  be  continued  long  upon  this 
stage  of  action.  But  he  who  calls  laborers  into  his 
vineyard  knows  when  to  give  them  rest  from  their  works, 
and  they  shall  receive  from  Him  according  as  these 
have  been. 

Please  remember  me  to  Malinda. 

Thy  loving  friend, 

Jonathan  E.  Rhoads. 

Fifth  month  i.  At  noon  I  was  taken  by  Joseph  Turn- 
penny to  the  Pennsylvania  Hospital,  and  saw  about 
thirty-eight  of  those  who  had  been  burned  in  the  fire  at 
the  Central  Theatre.  They  were  a  ghastly  sight,  and  the 
superintendent  said  that  in  the  annals  of  the  hospital, 
unless  in  time  of  war,  there  had  never  been  such  a 
scene;  their  sufferings,  together  with  the  horror  of  soul 
of  some  of  them  must  feel,  are  indeed  terrible  to  think  of. 
This  theatre  was  burned  about  9  P.  M.  by  the  stage 
curtains  catching  fire  and  one  hundred  persons  were 
seriously  injured.  It  is  the  second  time  this  theatre  has 
been  destroyed  by  fire  and  several  killed. 


Age  62      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  281 

Fifth  month  ii.  Visited  the  hospital  and  saw  the  re- 
maining convalescent  victims  of  the  fire.  Seven  had 
died  and  ten  had  returned  to  their  homes. 

Fifth  month  i6.  Attended  the  funeral  of  one  of  the 
fire  victims,  previous  to  which  I  had  some  religious 
service  with  the  widow  and  several  others  who  were 
with  her.  I  have  attended  two  or  three  funerals  and 
visited  several  families  of  these  afflicted  ones.  The  one 
buried  to-day  was  one  of  the  firemen  who  was  assisting 
in  saving  life  and  putting  out  the  fire. 

Fifth  month  ij.  Was  allowed  an  opportunity  to  ad- 
dress the  General  Conference  of  the  colored  people,  now 
in  session  in  the  "Bethel,"  Sixth  street,  below  Pine,  being 
taken  in  by  Bishop  D.  A.  Payne. 

I  told  them  that  I  thought  it  would  be  well  for  them 
to  have  in  any  of  their  conferences  twenty  or  more 
men  appointed  who  could  get  together  and  receive 
accounts  of  the  sufferings  of  their  people  and  take  such 
measures  for  relief  as  seemed  best.  Also  encouraged 
them  to  preserve  the  history  of  their  people,  and  a  place 
and  persons  be  appointed  to  keep  their  records. 

F'xfth  month  2p.  Arrived  at  Boston  after  a  pleasant 
sea  trip  and  took  train  to  Newburyport,  where  I  called 
upon  Joseph  and  Gertrude  Cartland,  who  insisted  upon 
my  remaining  with  them  over  night.  After  tea  called 
on  their  neighbor  Brown,  whose  daughter  Nellie  married 
a  nephew  of  my  Malinda's,  George  Patterson.  The 
remainder  of  the  evening  was  spent  very  pleasantly  with 


282  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i892 

the  Cartlands,  conversing  on  Society  matters.  After  a 
chapter  was  read  in  the  Bible  I  was  shown  to  J.  G. 
Whitier's  chamber  and  slept  in  his  bed.  In  one  corner 
of  the  room  was  the  desk  on  which  he  wrote  his  poems. 
In  the  centre  of  the  room  was  a  table  and  on  it  a  Bible 
and  a  few  books.  There  was  a  rocking  chair  of  the  same 
pattern  as  one  that  used  to  be  in  my  father's  sitting  room. 
There  was  a  sofa  on  one  side  of  the  room,  which  con- 
stituted the  furniture,  beside  the  bed  and  bureau.  There 
were  a  few  portraits  and  pictures  hanging  on  the  wall. 
John  G.  Whittier  was  at  his  summer  residence  at  Ames- 
bury.  He  spends  his  winters  here  with  his  cousin,  Ger- 
trude Cartland.  All  the  poetic  associations  did  not  pre- 
vent me  from  a  good  night's  sleep. 

Fifth  month  50.  Spent  a  half  hour  or  more  in  sitting 
and  reflecting  in  the  poet's  rocking  chair  before  break- 
fast. After  considerable  interesting  conversation  with 
Joseph  and  Gertrude  Cartland,  I  bid  them  farewell  and 
took  cars  for  Chelsea,  where  I  visited  Horace  L.  Hastings 
and  wife  in  their  home  and  had  a  very  satisfactory  call. 
H.  L.  H.  showed  me  his  library  and  private  room,  in 
which  was  a  great  collection  of  books.  Also  visited  H. 
L.  H.'s  place  of  business  in  Boston  before  taking  cars  to 
Albany,  and  thence  to  Highlands. 

Fifth  month  J7.  Crossed  over  the  new  bridge  to  Pough- 
keepsie  and  attended  meeting,  their  Yearly  IMeeting  being 
in  session.  It  was  announced  that  Joseph  S.  Elkinton 
was  present,  and  I  was  asked  to  rise,  which  I  did,  and 


Age  62      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  283 

stated  that  I  was  not  traveling  with  a  minute,  but,  passing 
through  the  city,  I  took  the  Hberty  to  come  in  among 
them.  I  was  told  to  make  myself  at  home.  A  report  was 
read  from  the  committee  of  the  Union  Springs  Boarding 
School.  The  clerk  spoke  of  the  repairs  that  had  been 
made  and  was  still  needed.  It  resulted  in  a  subscription 
being  taken  in  the  meeting.  After  meeting  I  went  to  the 
clerk  and  told  him  the  business  I  had  on  my  mind  was 
to  ask  him  if  he  would  accept  a  set  of  bound  volumes 
of  "The  Friend,"  and  if  so,  I  would  present  them  to  the 
Union  Springs  Library,  as  he  had  asked  for  books  as 
well  as  money.  He  said  he  would  gladly  accept  them. 
I  was  kindly  invited  by  a  number  to  dine  with  them. 
Attended  the  afternoon  session,  and  in  the  evening  had 
an  interesting  interview  (at  his  request)  with  the  assist- 
ant clerk. 

Sixth  month  i.  Spent  the  night  at  Charles  Goudy's. 
Spent  the  day  calling  on  several  Friends  and  took  train 
for  home,  arriving  about  11  P.  M.  and  found  that  our 
friend  John  S.  Stokes  was  buried  this  morning. 

Eighth  month  ii.  Mercury  99°.  Feeling  a  concern 
to  speak  to  the  superintendent  of  the  Fourth  and  Eighth 
streets  line  of  passenger  railway  about  having  the  relay 
horses  at  the  end  of  the  road  sheltered  under  a  booth  or 
tent,  I  went  to  the  Fourth  and  Dauphin  streets  depot 
and  had  a  very  satisfactory  interview  with  the  president, 
who  seemed  to  be  concerned  for  the  welfare  of  the  horses 
and  had  relays  of  them  at  comparatively  short  distances. 


284  JOSEPH  S.   ELKINTON  1892 

Eighth  month  15.  A  cablegram  from  Japan  informs 
us :  "A  fire  on  the  vessel ;  hull  not  much  damaged ;  will 
sail  on  the  fifteenth,"  which  implies  that  the  vessel  on 
which  our  daughter  sailed  has  been  on  fire. 

Eighth  month  15.  To-day  we  received  the  message, 
"  'Empress  of  Japan'  put  in  at  Hakodate ;  some  damage 
to  cargo ;  sails  again  on  Monday,  so  no  cause  for  alarm." 
I  suppose  we  shall  have  letters  in  a  few  days  that  will 
explain  the  whole  matter. 

Eighth  month  26.  Had  a  telegram  announcing  the 
safe  arrival  of  our  daughter  at  Vancouver. 

Ninth  month  18.  First-day.  My  son  Joseph  bore  a 
clear  testimony  in  our  morning  meeting  to  the  more  sure 
word  of  Prophecy,  and  in  the  afternoon  meeting  he  in- 
terceded that,  though  very  great  trials  might  be  per- 
mitted, that  our  spiritual  lives  might  be  preserved. 

Tenth  month  bj.  Son  Joseph  returned  the  minute 
granted  him  last  month  with  a  report  of  his  movements, 
which  was  accepted  and  well  received.  His  father  has 
a  feeling  of  quietness  overspreading  his  mind,  and  secret 
desires  for  the  preservation  of  his  son.  It  is  indeed  a 
favor  when  a  feeling  of  comfort  settles  on  the  retrospect 
of  individual  services  or  of  acts  of  meetings. 

Eleventh  month  24.  In  the  second  meeting  of  our 
Monthly  Meeting  I  submitted  to  the  judgment  of  the 
meeting  a  concern  to  join  Joseph  Walton  in  a  religious 
visit  to  some  parts  of  New  York  State,  with  a  view  of 
strengthening  the  hands  of  those  who  were  attached  to 


Age  63      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  285 

the  principles  of  Friends,  and  I  would  ask  liberty  to 
appoint  some  meetings  for  worship,  one  of  which  would 
likely  be  at  "Sing  Sing."    A  minute  was  granted  me. 

First  month  4,  iSgS-  Word  reached  us  early  this 
morning  that  our  little  grandchild  Rebecca  passed  away 
about  11.30  last  evening.  She  was  a  precious  child,  and 
the  matter  comes  very  close  to  us.  Her  powers  of  per- 
ception were  beyond  her  years. 

First  month  6.  The  funeral  company  met  at  Ephraim 
Smith's,  1110  Pine  street.  The  gathering  was  a  solemn 
one.  Samuel  Emlen  first  broke  the  silence,  speaking  of 
the  benefits  of  affliction  to  the  survivors. 

John  H.  Dillingham  spoke  as  if  the  little  departed  one 
had  glorified  its  Creator  in  the  little  while  it  was  on  earth. 
Elizabeth  R.  Evans  spoke  from  the  text,  "And  their 
angels  do  behold  the  face  of  my  Father  who  is  in 
Heaven."  Son  Joseph  uttered  a  short  petition  which 
seemed  to  breathe  the  spirit  of  resignation.  Benjamin 
Vail  uttered  a  feeling  supplication. 

First  month  16.  While  waiting  at  the  railroad  station 
engaged  in  conversation  with  a  railroad  magnate,  who 
had  a  great  deal  to  tell  about  railroads  and  about  his 
explorations  in  Mexico.  But  he  seemed  to  have  a  pretty 
poor  opinion  of  preachers  in  general;  that  they  were  a 
deceitful  set  and  full  of  intrigue,  although  he  encouraged 
\iis  children  to  go  to  some  church,  as  he  called  it.  I  told 
him  he  must  not  judge  the  religious  world  by  the  incon- 
sistency or  hypocrisy  of  some  of  its  professors  any  more 


286  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1893 

than  to  judge  a  community  by  the  character  of  those  who 
were  in  the  state  prison.  He  was  very  interesting,  how- 
ever, in  conversation,  and  seemed  to  possess  general 
information  about  the  Society  of  Friends  in  New  York. 

First  month  26.  I  returned  my  minute  to  our  Monthly 
meeting,  together  with  a  report  that  was  satisfactory  to 
the  meeting,  stating  that  Joseph  Walton  accompanied  me. 

Third  month  24.     Made  a  satisfactory  call  on  Letitia 

Justice,  who  had  lived  in  my  father's  family  before  my 

memory.     Her  faculties  seemed  to  be  clear  and  bright. 

She  spoke  in  a  feeling  manner  of  the  lasting  impressions 

made  on  her  mind  by  my   father's  communications   in 

connection   with   his   reading  of   the   Scriptures   at   the 

breakfast  table.    It  was  not  unusual  for  father  to  offer  a 

little  in  this  line  after  his  reading  at  the  breakfast  table, 

which  practice  he  kept  up  during  his  lifetime ;  and  the 

last  thing  he  read  was  the  Psalm  containing  the  verse, 

"Let  the  words  of  my  mouth  and  the  meditation  of  my 

heart  be  acceptable  in  thy  sight,  O  Lord,  my  strength  and 

my  redeemer." 

At  a  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends  of  Philadelphia  held  Fifth 
month  25,  1893.  Joseph  S.  Elkinton  opened  in  this  meeting  a  con- 
cern which  for  sometime  past  and  with  increasing  weight  has  im- 
pressed his  mind  to  visit  in  Gospel  love  some  portions  of  the 
New  England  States,  to  attend  some  meetings  of  those  under 
our  name  and  to  appoint  some  public  meetings,  as  ability  may  be 
afforded  and  best  wisdom  may  direct.  On  deliberately  weighing 
this  important  and  serious  undertaking,  unity  was  felt  with  liber- 
ating him  for  the  service;  a  desire  being  also  felt  that  he  may 
attend  closely  to  the  line  of  duty  which  may  in  the  leadings  of 
the  Head  of  the  Church  be  pointed  out,  and  that  his  preserving 


Age  63      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  287 

power  may  be  experienced  and  yielded  to  until  the  required 
service  be  accomplished.  Joseph  S.  Elkinton  is  a  minister  in 
unity  with  us. 

From   the   Minutes. 

Thomas  Elkinton,  Clerk. 

Our  beloved  Friend,  Joseph  S.  Elkinton,  attended  this  meeting 
with  a  certificate  from  the  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends  of  Phila- 
delphia held  Fifth  month,  1893,  liberating  him  to  visit  in  Gospel 
love  some  portions  of  the  Xew  England  States,  to  attend  some  of 
the  meetings  under  our  name  and  appoint  some  public  meetings 
as  ability  may  be  afforded;  and  as  best  wisdom  may  direct,  he 
being  a  minister  in  unity  with  them. 

His  company  and  Gospel  labors  have  been  very  encouraging 
and  strengthening  to  us.  and  the  clerk  is  directed  to  furnish  him 
with  a  copy  of  this  minute. 

Signed  by  direction  and  on  behalf  of  the  Xew  England  Yearly 
Meeting  held  at  Westerly,  R.  I.,  by  adjournments  from  the  12th 
of  Sixth  month  to  the  13th  of  the  same,  inclusive,  1893. 

John  W.  Foster, 
Mary  A.  Gardener,  Clerks. 

We  have  at  this  time  the  company  of  our  esteemed  Friend, 
Joseph  S.  Elkinton,  from  Philadelphia — a  minister  with  whom  we 
have  unity,  who  produced  a  certificate  from  the  Monthly  Meeting 
of  Friends  held  at  Philadelphia  Fifth  month  25,  1893,  liberating 
him  to  visit  in  Gospel  love  some  portions  of  the  New  England 
States,  to  attend  some  of  the  meetings  of  those  under  our  name, 
and  to  appoint  some  public  meetings  as  ability  may  be  afforded 
and  best  wisdom  may  direct. 

His  company  and  labor  of  love  amongst  us  have  been  com- 
forting and  encouraging. 

From  the  minutes  of  Sandwich  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Friends, 
held  at  North  Dartmouth  on  the  6th  of  Seventh  month,  1893. 

Job  S.  Gidley. 

Seventh  month  12.  In  my  travels  yesterday  I  saw 
one  place  that  reminded  me  of  the  story  of  the  man  who 
had  built  a  great  mansion  and  afterwards  lost  his  mind 


288  JOSEPH   S.   EI.KINTON  i893 

and  had  to  have  an  attendant.  He  Hked  to  walk  out  to 
a  certain  hill  and  look  down  on  his  buildings,  and  one 
day  he  said  to  his  caretaker,  "What  fool  did  build  that 
thing?" 

Seventh  month  2y.  At  Arch  Street  Monthly  Meeting 
I  gave  up  my  minute  granted  me  in  the  Fifth  month 
with  the  three  returning  minutes  from  the  Yearly  Meet- 
ing of  Ministers  and  Elders,  and  the  Yearly  Meeting  held 
at  Westerly,  and  the  Quarterly  Meeting  at  North  Dart- 
mouth. These  were  read,  and  I  stated  that  I  had 
attended  the  Yearly  Meeting  at  Westerly,  and  after  that 
had  meetings  pretty  much  along  the  line  of  the  railroad 
between  Westerly  and  Portland,  some  appointed  and 
some  of  the  usual  meetings,  and  was  also  along  the  line 
of  railroad  at  Cape  Cod,  and  was  on  the  Island  of  Nan- 
tucket and  at  Newport.  In  the  appointed  meetings  there 
was  an  open  door.  Joseph  Walton  was  with  me  part  of 
the  time,  and  after  he  left  a  Friend  from  North  Dart- 
mouth took  his  place  as  companion,  with  the  approbation 
of  the  elders  there.  In  the  course  of  the  visit  we  were 
brought  into  connection  with  leading  people  under  our 
name,  some  of  whom  were  grounded  in  the  Truth.  But 
as  we  moved  over  the  land  we  were  sensible  of  great 
changes;  large  meeting-houses  with  so  few  to  make  use 
of  them  and  the  meetings  in  many  places  discontinued.  I 
felt  that  not  only  there,  but  nearer  home,  if  the  rising 
generation  wanted  to  share  the  blessings  of  belonging  to 
a  religious  society  and  continue  to  be  partakers  of  the 


Age  63      DIARY  AND   CORRESPONDENCE  289 

benefits  that  had  been  purchased  for  us  through  the 
sufferings  of  our  early  Friends,  they  must  be  willing  to 
give  their  strength  to  the  work  of  their  day  in  the  inter- 
ests of  the  Society  and  in  keeping  with  the  cross  of 
Christ. 

The  exercises  I  had  experienced  were  various  and  in 
some  respects  different  from  anything  I  had  known 
before,  but  there  was  cause  to  commemorate  the  goodness 
of  our  Heavenly  Father  for  the  support  that  had  been 
afforded.  Joseph  Walton  added  that  he  had  considered 
it  a  privilege  to  take  part  in  the  service. 

Eighth  month  12.  A  message  was  received  to-day 
from  Malvern  that  mother  Patterson  was  very  poorly 
and  desired  to  see  me.  I  accordingly  went  out  and  found 
that  she  had  been  taken  increasingly  ill  and  is  now  in 
a  critical  condition,  but  I  had  comfort  in  sitting  by  her 
side  and  her  conversation  was  quite  coherent,  bespeaking 
a  sense  that  her  time  on  earth  was  drawing  near  a  close. 

Eighth  month  14.  Going  into  mother's  chamber  this 
morning,  I  remarked  to  her  that  I  felt  it  was  not  so 
much  matter  what  our  condition  was,  so  that  we  had 
grace  to  help  in  time  of  need,  and  now,  sitting  by  her 
side,  I  never  felt  that  passage  with  more  force  and 
sweetness,  "My  grace  is  sufficient  for  thee,  my  strength 
is  made  perfect  in  weakness."  And  whilst  she  and  I 
might  have  preached  that  text  as  applicable  in  a  spiritual 
sense,  in  the  fulness  of  Scripture  language  it  did  apply 
that  his  grace  was  sufficient,  even  in  times  of  physical 


290  JOSEPH   S.    EIvKINTON  1893 

weakness.  She  broke  forth  in  a  beautiful  strain,  "The 
Lord  is  my  Shepherd,  I  shall  not  want,"  and  went  very 
much  through  the  Psalm,  enlarging  particularly  on  the 
passage,  "Goodness  and  mercy  have  followed  me  all  the 
days  of  my  life,"  saying  she  had  been  greatly  favored 
with  the  society  of  spiritually-minded  Friends  and  re- 
counted her  mercies  in  other  particulars. 

It  did  seem  to  me  as  sweet  an  evening  song  as  I  ever 
heard.  To  be  in  such  a  state  and  condition  as  mother 
seemed  to  be  in,  I  felt  was  worth  all  the  tribulation  that 
was  to  be  passed  through  in  this  life  and  it  brings  up  the 
language,  "Let  me  die  the  death  of  the  righteous  and 
let  my  last  end  be  like  his." 

On  telling  mother  I  was  about  to  go  with  brother 
J.  G.  H.  to  the  meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders  at 
Media,  she  responded,  "My  heart  is  with  those  who  are 
endeavoring  to  fill  their  measure  of  service  and  of  suf- 
fering, and  who  are  pouring  out  their  souls  before  the 
Lord,  craving  that  He  would  enable  them  to  do  their 
day's  work." 

At  the  meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders,  Clarkson 
Sheppard  first  spoke,  saying  he  had  never  been  more 
impressed  with  the  language,  "The  Lord  is  my  Shepherd, 
I  shall  not  want,"  and  went  on  speaking  very  sweetly, 
finishing  with  the  same  words  that  I  had  heard  mother 
Patterson  repeat.* 


*I  afterward  heard  that  Phoebe  Roberts,  who  was  ill,  repeated 
the  same  Psalm  that  same  morning. 


Age  63      DIARY   AND    CORRESPONDENCE  291 

Eighth  month  14.  My  Malinda  returned  from  Budd's 
Lake  and  came  on  to  Malvern  to  be  with  her  mother. 

Eighth  month  21.  Mother's  condition  has  been  a  sink- 
ing one,  and  supposed  she  was  almost  past  recognizing 
us ;  but  as  an  evidence  that  she  had  a  hold  on  that  which 
was  not  to  be  taken  from  her,  she  broke  forth  in  some 
very  heavenly  expressions. 

Eighth  month  22.  Our  dear  mother  finished  her  course 
to-day.  My  wife  told  me  of  a  number  of  sweet  expres- 
sions mother  uttered  from  time  to  time,  even  in  her  low 
estate. 

Eighth  month  26.  There  was  quite  a  gathering  of  the 
family  before  the  funeral,  in  which  there  was  a  feeling 
of  sweet  solemnity.  It  was  a  very  warm  day,  and  few 
besides  the  relatives  proceeded  to  the  interment  at 
Goshen. 

Eleventh  month  2^.  This  morning  was  a  turning  point 
with  me  in  reference  to  opening  a  concern  that  had  long 
been  on  my  mind  to  move  among  the  inhabitants  of  this 
city  in  gospel  love  and  appoint  public  meetings.  I  had 
felt  the  present  time  to  be  a  time  of  affliction,  affecting 
many  in  different  conditions  of  life,  and  if  the  meeting 
were  clear  in  the  matter  I  felt  it  might  be  my  place  at 
this  time  to  stand  resigned  to  the  service.  After  an  ex- 
pression of  freedom  on  the  part  of  both  Men's  and 
Women's  Meetings  a  minute  was  prepared  expressing 
their  unity  and  encouragement.    This  is  a  weighty  under- 


292  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1893 

taking,  and  I  feel  that  it  is  one  that  needs  to  be  entered 
into  carefully. 

Eleventh  month  30.  Brother  J.  G.  H.  was  liberated  by 
his  Monthly  Meeting  to  accompany  me  in  the  service  of 
holding  meetings  in  this  city. 

Twelfth  month  i/.  The  appointed  meeting  at  the 
Mariners'  Bethel  at  3  P.  I\I.  was  very  largely  attended — 
it  was  thought  eight  hundred  were  present — the  neigh- 
borhood where  I  spent  the  earlier  part  of  my  life  being 
well  represented.  Notwithstanding  the  great  change  in 
character  of  inhabitants,  yet  a  body  of  men  remain,  and 
I  trust  I  left  them  the  impression  that  I  saluted  them  in 
the  love  of  the  Gospel,  with  earnest  desires,  that  yielding 
to  the  visitations  of  the  Most  High,  they  might  be  enabled 
to  serve  their  generation  according  to  his  will  and  their 
own  peace.  My  heart  did  yearn  for  the  preservation  of 
this  part  of  the  city. 

Tzvelfth  month  /p.  The  appointed  meeting  at  the 
Eastburn  Mariners'  Bethel  was  a  satisfactory  opportunity 
and  also  well  attended  by  the  seamen,  a  marked  quiet 
prevailed. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

Relief  Work  on  Sea  Islands.* 
Twelfth  month  22.  Left  home  for  Beaufort,  South 
CaroHna,  meeting  WilHam  Evans  at  the  Pennsylvania 
depot.  It  seemed  we  had  struck  the  12.10  train  for 
Florida,  and  stating  we  wanted  to  get  on  the  Charleston 
car,  were  told  to  take  the  two  front  cars  on  the  train, 
but  when  comfortably  seated  therein  were  asked  for  our 
sleeping  berth  tickets. 

Ah !  I  had  thought  it  time  enough  to  take  that  matter 
up  when  we  got  to  Washington,  not  making  allowance 
for  the  Florida-seekers  to  spend  the  holidays,  and  it  did 
seem  as  if  there  were  a  good  many  people  left  yet  deter- 
mined to  spend  money  while  they  had  it,  and  no  doubt 
some  of  them  were  conscientious  about  it.  We  were 
soon  told  that  we  would  have  to  take  our  chances  about 
a  sleeping  berth,  for,  on  looking  over  the  pile  of  his 
papers,  the  sleeping-berth  agent  told  us  he  could  give  us 


*In  the  autumn  of  1893  the  sympathy  of  many  was  enlisted  on 
behalf  of  the  sufferings  of  the  negroes  on  the  Sea  Islands  of 
South  Carolina.  Joseph  S.  Elkinton  felt  constrained  to  suspend 
his  work  under  a  minute  of  his  Monthly  Meeting  and  go  to  the 
scene  of  suffering.  The  following  passage,  extracted  from  a 
newspaper  account  preserved  by  J.  S.  E.  will  help  to  explain  some 
things  in  the  succeeding  pages  : 

The  climate  is  perfect,  very  little  labor  produces  good  results. 
The  Sea  Islanders  were  a  happy,  contented,  and  comfortably 
tixed  set  of  people.     So  it  was  at  the  going  down  of  the  sun  on 

293 


294  JOSEPH   S.    ELKINTON  1893 

a  chair  apiece  to  Washington  for  seventy-five  cents  each, 
or  for  seven  dollars  we  could  have  an  upper  berth  and  a 
sofa  in  the  drawing  room,  in  which  some  women  had  a 
lower  berth,  and  that  was  all  that  could  be  done  in  that 
line.  William  was  decidedly  of  the  opinion  that  a  sleep- 
ing berth  for  the  night  would  best  suit  his  comfort,  but 
on  contemplating  the  situation  we  quietly  resolved  to 
give  the  porter  twenty-five  cents  to  help  us  back  with  our 
je  into  one  of  the  regular  passenger  cars,  so  we 


the  27th  day  of  August.  When  the  sun  rose  next  morning,  hun- 
dreds of  these  cabins  had  been  swept  from  the  earth,  with  all 
they  contained.  Over  thirty  thousand  of  those  people  were  home- 
less, foodless,  without  clothes  and  with  no  resources.  Over  eight 
hundred  were  dead  (the  figures  from  actual  census).  A  hurri- 
cane, on  its  way  from  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  to  the  north,  had 
swerved  somewhat  from  the  usual  course  of  these  storms;  its 
centre,  instead  of  following  the  gulf  stream,  had  come  in  over  the 
land  and  the  great  uprising  of  the  surface  of  the  sea,  which 
always  occurs  at  the  calm  centre  of  these  storms,  inundated  our 
islands  to  depths  varying  from  one  to  ten  feet  according  to  the 
height  of  the  land.  The  average  height  of  the  tidal  wave  above 
high  water  being  about  seven  feet,  the  surface  of  each  island  was 
a  sea,  and  was  driven  by  the  tremendous  force  of  the  wind  over 
a  hundred  miles  per  hour,  as  recorded  at  Charleston,  north  of  us, 
and  at  Savannah  south,  into  death-dealing  waves.  The  houses, 
all  built  on  posts  two  or  four  feet  above  ground,  came  down  like 
card  houses.  Some  collapsed  and  crushed  their  inmates  on  the 
spot;  others  went  drifting  off  with  men,  women  and  children 
clinging  to  them,  until,  falling  to  pieces,  they  dropped  their  living 
freight  into  eternity.  Some  people  escaped  by  seeking  shelter 
amidst  the  branches  of  the  giant  pines  and  oaks;  a  portion  were 
so  saved  but  others  had  found  only  death  traps,  for,  yielding  to 
the  force  of  the  wind,  many  were  thrashed  to  death  by  the  whip- 
ping of  the  branches,  or  knocked  off  into  the  raging  sea  below. 


Age  63     DIARY  AND   CORRESPONDENCE  295 

migrated  and  got  settled.  After  the  train  reached  Wil- 
mington we  got  a  seat  together. 

At  Richmond  the  people  thinned  out,  and  William  and 
T  each  got  a  seat  and  arranged  ourselves  the  best  we 
could,  and  after  twisting  ourselves  one  way  or  another. 
Nature  asserted  its  own  right  and  we  forgot  all  about 
the  glorious  sunset,  and  that  it  really  was  a  very  fine 
moonlight  night,  and  by  the  dawn  of  the  23d  inst.,  which 
is  the  date  of  this  writing  on  the  cars,  we  really  felt 
refreshed. 

At  Charleston  we  each  got  a  cup  of  coffee,  and  the 
lunch  box  that  aunt  Mary  had  fixed  up  has  served  me 
excellently. 

At  one  stopping  point  five  little  pickaninnies,  as  W.  E. 
called  them,  got  up  on  the  platform  of  the  car  and 
seemed  all  ready  to  start  up  a  little  dance  and  ask  for 
nickels.  I  handed  W.  E.  three  of  the  little  books  called 
"The  Sermon  on  the  Mount"  and  two  of  the  "Proverbs 
of  Solomon,"  and  told  him  to  ask  them  if  they  could 
read.  William  smiled,  but  started  oflf  to  deliver  them. 
He  reports  that  one  of  the  boys  said  he  could  read,  but 
seeming  more  anxious  for  money  than  literature,  got  a 
nickel  out  of  him. 

Changing  cars  at  Charleston,  we  got  into  one  pretty 
well  packed  with  not  exactly  all  sorts  of  people,  but  a 
representation  of  the  South  who,  as  we  indulged  in  our 
cup  of  coffee,  got  the  advantage  and  filled  the  seats 
before  our  arrival.     One  valise  was  piled  on  the  other 


296  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  iS93 

inside  of  the  door  of  entrance,  which  gave  me  a  per- 
spective view,  which,  if  it  had  been  photographed,  would 
probably  have  offered  some  amusement  to  325  and  322 
Union  street.  Pretty  close  to  me  were  three  hunters  with 
three  pointer  dogs  of  considerable  size,  which  they  had 
some  difficulty  in  keeping  in  a  crouched  position  under 
their  limbs,  as  they  could  not  get  them  under  the  seats. 

The  men  seemed  to  be  of  some  standing,  one  of  them 
being  called  Colonel,  which  I  suppose  gave  him  more  of 
a  pass  with  his  company  and  dogs  than  he  could  reason- 
ably expect  in  the  north  on  a  passenger  car.  I  got 
some  points  out  of  them  in  conversation,  but  when  their 
dogs  wanted  more  ease  and  freedom  they  were  beaten 
so  over  the  head,  neck  and  shoulders  with  the  whips 
which  they  had  in  their  pockets  that  it  destroyed  all  the 
satisfaction  of  talking  with  them.  The  southern  blood 
of  aristocracy  was  painfully  apparent,  and  I  was  glad  to 
get  the  first  seat  vacated  at  a  stopping  point. 

It  was  not  long  after  leaving  Charleston  before  we  saw 
the  effects  of  the  storm,  broken  down  trees  showing  that 
the  prevailing  wind  had  been  from  the  southeast, 
although  the  conductor  said  the  direction  of  the  storm 
changed  every  few  minutes;  he  was  in  it  with  eleven 
cars  in  charge;  the  boxes  were  overturned,  but  the 
coaches  were  not  injured. 

We  are  traveling  due  west,  and  have  a  roundabout  way 
on  account  of  the  indentations  of  the  coast.  We  have 
just  stopped  at  Green  Pond,  and  such  an  emptying  out 


Age  63      DIARY  AND   CORRESPONDENCE  297 

of  people,  baggage  and  stuff;  one  colored  woman  with  a 
tub  and  all  descriptions  of  packages,  says  W.  E. 

The  stubble  of  last  summer's  rice  fields,  as  also  to  a 
less  degree  of  either  corn  or  sugar  cane,  I  cannot  tell 
which  is  right,  have  been  nipped  bare  by  the  cows. 

The  difference  of  latitude  is  now  shown  by  the  pres- 
ence of  flies  in  the  cars  which  we  could  not  see  in  the 
north  at  this  time  of  the  year,  and  the  shaking  of  this 
car  reminds  us  we  are  on  a  southern  railroad.  A  very 
fine  rice  field  with  its  little  canal  for  drainage  has  come 
into  view,  and  the  moss  on  the  trees  looks  nice. 

A  number  of  huts  have  chimneys  outside.  I  was  told 
that  the  fashion  in  the  south  is  to  build  the  chimney  first, 
and  if  it  draws  well,  then  build  the  house  afterwards. 
We  see  a  number  of  fires  outside  of  the  houses  where 
it  looks  as  if  they  might  be  cooking,  but  I  have  not  seen 
any  chimneys  to  the  houses  or  near  them,  perhaps  where 
chimneys  have  failed  to  draw  even  then  they  have  built. 

The  water  in  the  swampy  ground  is  generally  free  from 
discoloration  about  the  roots  of  the  trees.  It  is  pictur- 
esque to  see  the  slim  teams  of  poor  horses  and  flimsy 
wagons,  and  a  woman  on  a  poor  horse  working  through 
a  ford.  A  cow  is  to  be  seen  ready  to  be  harnessed  to  a 
little  cart,  but  apparently  the  most  effective  team  visible 
in  the  past  half  hour  is  an  ox  that  is  harnessed  to  a  cart. 

Stopping  at  Yemassee  station  and  letting  the  Savannah 
people  go  on  their  way,  we  again  change  and  take  the 
Central  Georgia  Railroad.     Whilst  waiting  we  observe 


298  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i893 

a  considerable  number  of  people,  probably  nine-tenths 
of  them  colored,  and  in  the  midst  of  them  are  some  men 
with  turkeys  and  chickens,  which,  like  the  stock  in  these 
parts,  were  not  very  large,  but  brought  here  to  be  disposed 
of.  One  man  has  one  in  his  coat  pocket  with  its  feet 
sticking  out,  it  probably  having  been  smothered  or  abused 
in  some  other  way  so  it  has  not  survived.  Viewing  the 
mass  of  persons  around  us,  one  person  states  he  is  re- 
minded of  what  he  heard  a  long  time  ago:  "Some  was 
black,  and  some  was  blacker,  and  some  the  color  of  chaw- 
tobacker"  (tobacco).  This  expressive  figure  will  not 
stand  the  test  of  refinement,  yet  my,  oh !  what  a  scene 
amidst  all  the  goods  of  all  sorts  tumbled  about,  the  cars 
shifting  on  three  tracks,  the  wagons  of  divers  sort  wait- 
ing for  a  crossing,  some  that  had  evidently  been  engaged 
hauling  wood,  which  is  used  on  the  cars  for  fuel.  Our 
little  buggy  with  no  top  had  three  people  stuflFed  in,  and 
baggage  behind  the  little  buggy  with  the  little  horse. 
One  patriarchal  colored  man  with  a  white  beard  was 
mounted  on  a  pretty  fine-looking  horse,  about  the  best 
to  be  seen,  probably  belonging  to  some  landowner;  but 
the  motley  group  of  little  mules,  little  wagons  of  all 
sorts  looked  as  though  time  was  not  nearly  so  valuable 
as  some  of  us  from  the  north  think  it  ought  to  be  valued. 
We  have  gotten  some  information  from  a  colored 
man,  who  says  he  wants  to  go  to  Beaufort,  but  alleges 
he  will  have  to  walk  for  want  of  money  to  pay  his  fare. 
His  clothes  and  shoes  are  in  keeping  with  what  we  have 


Age  63      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  299 

been  told  of  the  times,  but  as  he  really  did  not  seem  to 
know  what  he  could  do  when  he  got  there,  he  was  paid 
twenty-five  cents  for  helping  us  with  our  baggage  and 
what  information  he  gave  us  and  left  to  do  the  best 
he  could. 

Started  on  our  way;  supposed  to  be  forty  minutes 
behind  time  from  Yemassee,  passing  by  great  rice  fields 
on  the  one  side  and  magnificent  moss-covered  trees  on  the 
other,  and  are  having  a  sight  not  only  of  more  habita- 
tions that  appear  as  if  they  were  the  abode  of  the 
poverty-stricken,  but  have  a  sight  of  the  wreck  of  what 
they  call  a  washboat  that  had  been  used  for  washing  out 
the  earth  from  phosphate  rock.  One  man  sitting  by  me 
in  the  cars  says  the  water  at  the  time  of  the  storm  was 
nine  and  one-half  feet  in  the  yard  of  his  house  at  Port 
Royal.  On  reaching  a  bridge  over  the  swamps  and  chan- 
nel, we  have  had  to  go  very  slow  for  safety's  sake. 

We  arrived  at  Beaufort,  and  took  carriage  to  Rachel 
C.  Mather's  establishment ;  were  received  with  a  welcome 
and  given  a  room  for  our  accommodation.  Before  I 
could  get  properly  washed  and  shaved  we  heard  a  knock 
at  the  door  and  was  told  if  we  were  rested  we  might 
go  down  and  hear  the  case  of  a  man  who  was  in  a  suffer- 
ing condition,  having  nine  children.  His  relation  of  their 
condition  was  an  affecting  one.  He  was  given  some  meat 
and  half  a  peck  of  grits,  also  a  few  other  things  that  he 
could  carry.  His  story  was  that  they  were  in  a  state  of 
abject  poverty,  and  he  had  come  several  miles  to  report. 


300  JOSEPH   S.  ELKINTON  i893 

The  next  one  that  we  heard  was  one  who  said  that  all 
that  he  had  earned  since  the  storm  he  had  to  pay  for 
doctor's  bills,  his  wife  being  sick  from  the  exposure  of 
the  storm,  and  his  son  had  a  broken  leg.  David  Delany 
lost  a  house  and  all  that  was  in  it,  two  head  of  cows, 
fifty  head  of  chickens,  hogs,  etc.,  speaks  as  if  they  were 
nearly  destitute  of  all ;  they,  however,  got  a  shanty  put 
up.  Jack  Robinson's  story  was  like  the  others — a  very 
affecting  one.  One  Alary  Ann  Robinson  gave  us  to 
understand  she  was  the  mother  of  fourteen  children  and 
wanted  clothing.  Her  house  was  carried  away  by  the 
storm. 

There  were  probably  fifteen  men  on  the  porch,  and  as 
many  women  on  another  porch,  who  were  waiting  to  be 
helped ;  and  we  were  told  there  had  been  more  than  one 
hundred  there  that  day  before  we  came,  and  that  was  no 
unusual  number.  Five  barrels  of  clothing,  besides  pro- 
visions, had  been  distributed  that  day. 

The  institution  is  under  the  care  of  the  Women's  Bap- 
tist Home  Missionary  Society  of  Boston,  with  Rachel  C. 
Mather  as  the  matron.  It  is  a  home  for  about  twenty 
little  girls  who  were  taken  up  as  destitute  and  cared  for. 
Many  of  them  are  placed  out  in  the  north,  and  many 
have  married  and  settled  about  the  Islands  and  are  doing 
well.  There  is  a  day  school  carried  on,  with  an  average 
attendance  of  about  one  hundred  and  twenty  scholars  and 
on  the  roll  two  hundred  and  fifteen.  There  are  three 
teachers  and  two  assistants. 


Age  63      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  301 

After  we  had  dinner  we  went  back  to  the  porches  and 
listened  to  the  statements  of  the  poor  folks,  after  which 
I  invited  L.  Gould  (one  of  the  teachers)  to  go  with 
W.  E.  and  myself  to  the  depot,  etc.,  and  to  see  Clara 
Barton.  On  the  way  out  we  met  George  Caye,  the  town 
treasurer,  whose  wife  was  a  Pennsylvania  woman.  We 
entered  pretty  freely  into  conversation  with  them  and  told 
them  we  had  agreed  to  go  to  the  meeting  at  Button  Hill 
next  morning,  and  George  said  he  was  willing  to  supple- 
ment Alfred  Ramsey,  who  had  agreed  to  come  for  us 
and  take  us  to  Button  Hill. 

At  the  office  of  the  Red  Cross  we  were  told  that  Clara 
Barton  was  very  poorly  with  bronchitis  and  could  not 
talk.  Her  representative,  George  Pullman,  gave  us  con- 
siderable information  concerning  the  doings  of  the  Red 
Cross  Association,  whose  district  seemed  to  extend  pretty 
much  over  the  whole  country  from  Charleston  to  Savan- 
nah or  Georgetown,  in  which  range  35.000  persons  are 
said  to  be  in  want.  The  donations  having  been  particu- 
larly given  for  the  Sea  Islands,  they  have  been  cramped 
or  restricted  in  their  operations,  and  speak  of  the  prospect 
being  a  pretty  desperate  one  for  the  coming  three  months, 
as  the  mischief  done  by  the  storm  was  so  extended.  They 
have  bought  grits  by  the  carload,  and  have  doled  it  out 
at  the  rate  of  a  peck  a  week  for  a  family  of  nine  persons 
with  one  pound  of  pork,  which  was  insufficient  for  sup- 
port, but  assisted,  leaving  the  deficiency  to  be  made  up  by 
the  exertions  of  those  who  could  fish  or  get  oysters.     It 


302  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1893 

was  not  every  one  who  could  have  boats  to  fish  or  get 
oysters,  there  being  a  great  scarcity  of  boats,  many  having 
been  lost  in  the  storm  and  great  hindrance  to  business  on 
that  account.  In  some  instances  it  seemed  as  if  the  boats 
and  houses  just  exchanged  places,  the  former  being  de- 
posited on  the  fields,  and  the  house  that  did  not  get  broken 
up  first,  started  out  to  sea. 

The  Red  Cross  has  employed  a  good  many  men  in 
clearing  out  debris,  as  also  draining  fields,  giving  rations 
to  the  workmen.  I  think  I  was  told  that  75,000  feet  of 
lumber  had  been  given  to  them  to  put  up  their  houses, 
and  they  had  bought  timber  at  four  dollars  a  thousand 
by  the  carload.  They  employed  women  to  mend  gar- 
ments before  they  were  sent  out,  as  also  make  up 
comfortables.    These  were  also  given  rations. 

Sewing  circles  had  been  organized  in  different  neigh- 
borhoods, as  also  committees ;  the  deacons  of  the  religious 
societies,  often  being  members  thereof,  were  told  to  re- 
port the  needs  of  the  neighborhood,  so  that  a  systematic 
scheme  seems  to  have  been  organized,  and  care  taken  to 
investigate.  Their  capacity,  however,  is  limited ;  and  yet 
with  all  the  difficulties  and  impositions  that  may  have 
been  practiced,  no  question  but  that  a  great  amount  of 
relief  has  been  afforded,  and  whilst  much  complaint  has 
been  made  that  many  applicants  have  been  sent  empty 
away,  it  is  in  part  to  be  accounted  for  by  a  rule  having 
been  passed  that  no  supplies  will  be  furnished  from  the 
office,  but  must  go  through  the  properly  accredited  parties 


Age  63      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE         303 

appointed  to  take  it  to  their  homes.  This  involves  con- 
siderable delay  where  persons  are  to  be  visited  at  a 
distance. 

At  first  parties  came  to  demand  supplies  as  a  right, 
saying  that  the  government  had  made  appropriations  and 
the  goods  were  theirs  (the  applicants').  This  brought  out 
the  response :  "Not  so ;  the  government  had  not  granted 
anything,  and  the  goods  were  given  to  the  Red  Cross  to 
be  dispersed  at  its  discretion."  After  this  explanation 
the  applicants  had  become  more  modest 

Undergarments  for  cold  weather  were  particularly 
called  for,  and  as  to  comfortables,  the  person  I  was 
talking  with  said  ten  thousand  of  them  might  be  judi- 
ciously appropriated,  for  it  must  be  remembered  that  the 
salt  water  in  the  time  of  the  flood  had  made  very  many 
unfit  for  use.  On  the  whole,  I  came  to  the  conclusion 
that  there  was  a  great  deal  to  be  said  for  the  organized 
charity  work,  and  yet  individual  attention  and  sympathy 
through  conscientious  persons  who  knew  the  actual  con- 
ditions of  the  sufferers  and  had  previous  acquaintance 
with  parties  before  their  distress  would  be  likely  to  prove 
the  most  effectual  helpers,  but  the  great  point  would  be 
to  know  where  these  were  located. 

Considerable  information  was  given  me  concerning  the 
miners  for  phosphate  rock.  Several  companies  engaged 
in  this  enterprise  had  lost  one  hundred  thousand  dollars ; 
their  dredging  machines  had  been  broken  up,  and  they 
had  memorialized  Legislature  for  a  release  for  five  years 


304  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i893 

on  the  royalty  of  one  dollar  a  ton  on  the  rock  mines. 
The  answer  had  been  given  that  the  state  had  given  a 
rebate  on  the  prospective  royalty  for  seventy-five  thou- 
sand dollars,  which,  if  granted  by  the  phosphate  com- 
panies, the  royalty  would  be  waived  for  one  year.  A 
second  proposition  seemed  to  have  gone  up,  and  the 
Legislature,  being  supposed  to  be  near  its  close,  it  was 
uncertain  how  it  would  result. 

I  asked  the  question  as  to  what  the  view  of  the  Red 
Cross  was  with  regard  to  appealing  to  Congress.  The 
answer  was  that  they  did  not  want  free  rations  to  be 
issued,  for  that  would  pauperize  and  demoralize  the 
people.  The  Red  Cross  had  asked  for  fifty  thousand 
dollars  in  their  hands,  to  be  distributed  in  a  way  desig- 
nated by  them,  and  a  strict  account  to  be  given. 

I  could  not  divest  my  mind  of  the  thought  that  they 
were  not  altogether  influenced  by  the  best  of  motives  in 
not  leaving  the  matter  of  dispensing  to  the  Government 
Commissioners  to  be  appointed  in  the  matter,  and  I  also 
felt  that  the  declining  by  Congress  to  grant  the  appro- 
priation might  have  been  in  part  owing  to  a  suspicion  of 
being  dictated  to,  and  more  perhaps  because  the  silver 
bill  and  the  tariff  bill  so  wholly  engrossed  their  attention 
that  the  members  were  little  inclined  to  take  up  outside 
matters.  There  may  be  some  foundation  in  what  is 
reported  hereaway  that  Southern  Democrats  thought,  as 
did  their  representatives  in  Congress,  that  there  were  too 
many  "niggers"  and  it  would  be  well  to  let  them  die. 


Age  63      DIARY  AND   CORRESPONDENCE  305 

But  Congress  may  be  in  a  better  state  to  take  up  the 
subject  now  than  when  in  special  session. 

Called  at  the  office  of  a  grocer  of  the  name  of  Water- 
house,  whose  store  certainly  looked  as  if  there  was 
considerable  stock  in  it.  He  is  reported  to  have  lost 
some  twelve  or  fifteen  thousand  dollars  by  the  storm. 
He  is  also  spoken  of  as  being  the  proprietor  of  several 
tracts  of  land  and  being  a  pretty  reasonable  man  to  deal 
with. 

This  land  question  of  individuals  holding  large  tracts, 
with  an  increasing  population,  is  likely  to  be  a  grave 
problem.  It  is  said  that  sales  can  be  effected,  but  it  not 
unfrequently  happens  to  the  colored  people  who  purchase 
and  get  the  payments  half  paid  and,  unable  to  raise  the 
balance,  that  the  land  reverts  to  the  former  owner  to  the 
distress  of  a  family,  especially  when  the  head  of  it  has 
been  removed  by  death. 

Returned  to  R.  C.  Mather's  to  a  late  tea,  after  which 
we  had  a  very  pleasant  time  in  her  parlor,  when  she  gave 
us  a  history  of  her  early  life ;  how  she  became  interested 
in  the  cause  of  working  for  the  freedmen,  after  having 
been  a  school  teacher  in  Boston  and  commanding  the 
highest  salary  then  paid  to  a  woman  teacher.  She  thought 
as  the  men  did  so  much  for  their  country,  the  women 
ought  to  do  their  part.  After  the  war  her  son  had  suc- 
ceeded in  purchasing  for  her  at  low  prices  buildings  at 
Hilton  Head  that  had  been  used  for  the  quartermaster's 


306  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  iS93 

house,  and  magazine  and  barracks.  They  have  been 
floated  to  this  place  and  put  upon  this  bluff. 

Looking  towards  the  time  when  she  must  give  up  work, 
she  had  deeded  the  principal  part  of  the  building  to  the 
Women's  Home  Baptist  Association  in  Boston,  reserving 
the  privilege  of  the  home  for  herself  during  life.  She 
gave  us  quite  a  relation  of  how  the  colored  people  flocked 
in  during  the  war  whilst  the  place  was  in  the  possession 
of  the  northern  army.  The  many  remaining  accounts  for 
the  density  of  the  colored  population  on  this  island. 

The  land  having  been  confiscated  in  the  time  of  the 
war  and  the  colored  people  so  largely  left  in  possession, 
it  would  seem  as  if  they  might  have  prospered,  but  they 
have  their  backsets.  They  were  so  isolated  from  the 
main  land  and  so  little  they  could  do,  other  than  farm 
comparatively  poor  soil  or  work  in  phosphate  mines,  when 
they  are  in  operation,  it  is  not  much  wonder  if  a  good 
many  should  be  unemployed.  H  a  goodly  number  of 
them  could  but  safely  migrate  to  the  main  land  and  be 
properly  located,  it  might  be  to  their  interest,  but  here 
they  can,  in  great  measure,  have  home  rule,  for  colored 
people  seem  to  be  filling  most  of  the  offices,  and  the 
proportion  of  whites  is  very  small ;  still  there  is  enough 
of  them  to  hold  a  good  deal  of  land,  which  they  have  got 
hold  of  in  some  way,  and  it  would  be  something  of  a 
problem  to  get  the  colored  people  properly  started  in 
business,  etc. 

A  very  beautiful  sunset  and  temperature  pleasant. 


Age  63      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  307 

First  day  morning.  Before  starting  out,  R.  C.  M.  gave 
an  account  of  the  last  illness  of  her  son  Joseph,  who  died 
at  the  age  of  twenty-eight  years  after  a  short  illness,  yet 
not  without  leaving  his  mother  a  comfortable  hope  of  his 
having  gone  to  the  better  inheritance. 

Went  to  Beaufort  with  letters  of  introduction  to  three 
of  the  pastors  of  colored  congregations,  and  to  General 
Small,  who  united  with  a  proposition  to  have  a  meeting 
with  the  people  in  one  of  the  meeting  houses  for  colored 
people  at  eleven  o'clock  on  the  morrow. 

General  Small  is  one  of  the  most  remarkable  colored 
men  of  the  south,  is  the  collector  of  the  port,  and  in 
consequence  of  his  having  conducted  a  government  vessel 
out  of  the  port  in  time  of  rebellion  and  surrendered  it 
to  the  United  States  fleet,  he  has  received  a  pension  and 
is  now  enjoying  the  estate  or  residence  of  his  former 
master.    He  and  his  mother  were  born  on  that  property. 

Two  of  the  ministers  called  on  seemed  to  have  a  lively 
remembrance  of  the  visit  of  David  Heston  and  Joseph 
Walton,  who  had  meetings  hereaway.  One  of  them 
graduated  at  Lincoln  University.  His  name  is  Bamfield. 
One  of  the  others  is  Blythewood  and  the  other  Arthur 
Waddell.  The  latter  is  seventy-four  years  of  age;  has, 
if  I  understand  it  rightly,  been  pastor  over  the  congre- 
gation in  whose  house  the  meeting  was  appointed,  for 
thirty  years.  He  said  the  experience  of  the  great  storm 
had  proved  too  much  for  his  nerves,  and  he  felt  his 
powers  giving  away. 


308  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  iS93 

Blythewood  told  me  of  some  very  affecting  incidents 
of  the  storm  and  floods  men  witnessing  the  loss  of  mem- 
bers of  their  families,  and  very  great  sufferings  of  those 
who  were  appealing  to  him  in  great  distress. 

After  getting  the  arrangements  properly  made  for  the 
meeting  on  the  morrow,  we  proceeded  with  Alfred  Ram- 
sey to  Button  Hill  over  a  pretty  sandy  road.  The  settle- 
ment there  appears  to  have  been  on  a  tract  of  some  eight 
hundred  acres,  which  a  man  by  the  name  of  Appleton,  of 
New  York,  owns  and  is  selling  out  in  ten-acre  lots  to  the 
colored  people,  Alfred  Ramsey  being  the  agent.  Water 
in  some  places  in  that  neighborhood  had  been  nine  feet 
deep,  and  great  was  the  destruction  of  crops  and  build- 
ings. 

The  meeting  house  had  been  turned  over  and  partially 
demolished,  but  they  had  set  it  up  again  with  props.  No 
windows  in  as  yet,  and  but  part  of  the  roof  on.  The 
boards  of  the  floor  were  loose,  and  the  benches  were 
primitive  looking,  but  there  we  held  our  meeting,  or  at 
least  we  met  there,  the  control  of  it  being  given  to  us 
luitil  I  said  it  was  in  their  hands,  having  had  an  open 
door,  and  as  not  a  few  of  them  had  been  in  deep  water, 
it  was  a  meeting  of  unusual  depth  of  feeling,  and  I 
believe  it  was  the  general  thought  that  we  had  been 
together  for  good.  William  Evans  and  myself  gave 
them  to  understand  that  we  were  both  impressed  with 
the  view  that  it  was  a  season  of  Divine  favor. 

After  we  were  though,  liberty  was  given  them  to  open 


Age  63      DIARY   AND    CORRESPONDENCE  309 

their  minds  to  us,  and  they  did  in  a  feeling  manner, 
speaking  of  the  gratitude  they  felt  because  of  our  visiting 
them,  and  alluded  to  their  great  trial  in  being  visited  by 
the  flood,  attended  with  great  loss  of  life  and  property; 
and  yet  we  were  impressed  with  the  spirit  of  patience 
and  apparent  quietude  with  which  they  seemed  to  settle 
into  an  acceptance  of  the  situation  without  murmuring. 

Several  who  attempted  to  tell  of  the  awfulness  of  what 
they  had  gone  through,  would  use  the  language,  "Oh !  I 
can't  tell  you  how  it  was,  you  couldn't  understand  it," 
and  I  could  say,  "I  believe  you,  I  believe  you  that  it  was 
awful."  One  intelligent  man  seemed  to  have  been  over- 
taxed and  had  paralysis,  and  not  a  few  others  showed 
by  their  countenances  that  care  and  anxiety  had  fur- 
rowed and  wrinkled  them,  but  it  was  something  to  us 
that  we  had  met  them. 

George  Caye  and  his  wife  were  at  the  meeting,  and  a 
pretty  black  half  shepherd  dog  followed  and  took  its 
position  very  near  the  centre  of  the  meeting  house,  but 
was  silent.  G.  Caye  had  something  to  offer  in  the  latter 
part  of  the  meeting,  asking  the  people  to  report  cases  of 
imposition  to  Clara  Barton  or  some  other  person. 

His  wife  told  me  she  was  hard  of  hearing,  but  under- 
stood what  I  offered  in  the  meeting,  and  it  was  acceptable. 

Alfred  Ramsey  gave  us  dinner  together  with  some 
visitors,  and  he  brought  me  back  to  R.  C.  M.'s  to  tea. 


310  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i893 

A  man  by  the  name  of  French  volunteered  to  take 
WilHam  Evans  in  his  buggy. 

On  the  way  back  we  stopped  at  the  dirt  camp  of  Jupiter 
Dye,  an  aged  colored  man  who  had  a  hut,  we  might  call 
it,  made  of  stuff  about  twice  the  thickness  of  ordinary 
fence  rails  and  perhaps  a  little  longer,  reared  up  against 
a  ridge  pole  in  the  centre  and  sods  packed  up  over  the 
rails,  with  dirt  thrown  over.  Under  that  sort  of  a  shelter 
were  two  or  three  beds  on  the  bare  floor,  where  about 
five  grown  people  and  five  children  were  to  be  housed. 
There  was  a  little  fire  in  front  of  the  hut,  around  which 
the  aged  couple,  a  son  and  son-in-law,  hovered  and 
warmed  themselves.  The  children  seemed  to  be  away 
for  the  time  being.  They  were  very  poorly  and  barefoot. 
The  furniture  that  was  visible  consisted  of  two  old 
trunks,  an  old  chest  and  a  biscuit  box. 

The  old  black  grandmother  gave,  in  her  own  way,  a 
graphic  relation  of  her  story  and  experience  of  how  they 
were  nearly  drowned,  house  and  all  taken  away;  and  if 
that  was  not  a  case  of  destitution,  I  think  we  will  need 
a  new  dictionary  to  tell  us  what  we  are  to  understand 
by  it. 

In  the  evening  we  met  with  a  company  about  half  a 
mile  from  R.  C.  M.'s  who  did  not  seem  to  have  been  in 
quite  as  much  distress  as  some  others  amongst  them,  and 
whilst  I  did  not  think  it  as  favored  a  season  as  the  morn- 


Age  63      DIARY  AND   CORRESPONDENCE  311 

ing  or  noon  meeting,  yet  what  was  offered  to  them  was 
listened  to  with  marked  attention,  and  I  trust  the  season 
was  to  profit. 

Second-day  morning.  The  meeting  to-day  was  a  very 
satisfactory  one.  After  I  had  stated  the  object  of  our 
coming,  followed  by  William  Evans,  the  door  was  open 
for  any  of  them  to  tell  us  what  they  had  to  say.  We 
heard  their  account  of  the  impending  trials  of  the  next 
three  months.  Some  of  them  told  of  their  experience  as 
to  what  they  had  witnessed,  and  their  crying  need  seemed 
to  be  for  more  food  and  some  warm  clothing. 

General  Small  told  us  of  the  extraordinary  exertion 
that  was  used  immediately  after  the  storm,  and  of  the 
response  from  northern  cities  by  which  a  boatload  of 
provisions  were  sent  within  a  week  to  the  neighboring 
islands,  and  he  spoke  in  terms  of  praise  at  what  the  Red 
Cross  had  done. 

Ellen  Murray  and  her  sister  called  on  us,  having  heard 
of  our  arrival,  and  went  with  us  to  General  Small's,  and 
it  was  arranged  for  us  to  meet  with  those  who  would 
meet  with  us  at  Frogmore  next  Fourth-day,  General 
Small  agreeing  to  go  with  us  in  a  government  boat.  On 
arrival  at  the  residence  of  Ellen  Murray  and  her  sister 
we  were  given  a  hearty  welcome,  and  after  dinner  spent 
a  very  pleasant  evening. 

Twelfth  month  28.    After  breakfast  heard  two  appli- 


312  JOSEPH   S.    ELKINTON  1S93 

cations  for  help.  One  of  them  was  a  woman  who  Hved 
alone,  and  when  the  water  came  to  her  home  she  said 
the  waves  beat  her  house  and  she  tried  to  nail  up  her 
door,  but  it  would  not  hold.  She  then  tried  to  hold  her 
back  against  it,  but  that  she  found  w^ould  not  hold,  and 
she  had  to  leave  the  house  and  had  scarcely  gotten  from  it 
before  the  house  fell.  She  said  the  waves  beat  her  against 
the  house  and  then  the  rain  licked  her.  She  w^as  in  the 
water  a  long  time  and  when  she  got  to  a  little  fire  she 
tried  to  warm  herself  with  her  clothes  on.  From  accounts 
some  had  their  clothes  on  for  two  or  three  days.  The  old 
man  had  a  touching  tale  as  well.  About  forty  called  at 
the  house  for  help  during  the  day. 

About  ten  o'clock  we  started  out  to  prospect  and  survey 
the  country.  As  in  other  places,  we  saw  where  it  had 
been  deluged,  many  bodies  having  been  taken  from  under 
the  debris. 

The  prayer  of  the  poor  old  man  comes  before  me,  who 
prayed  that  after  he  "had  chawed  up  all  the  hard  bones 
and  swallowed  all  the  bitter  pills,  that  he  might  go  down 
to  his  watery  grave  in  peace  with  a  hope  of  Heaven 
beyond." 

In  our  drive  we  saw  a  number  of  small  houses  that 
had  been  erected  on  a  small  scale  since  the  storm.  One 
measured  about  twelve  feet  long  and  eight  feet  wide, 
another  measured  about  nine  feet  square,  the  ceiling  not 


Age  63      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  313 

six  feet  high.  This  was  to  accommodate  three  grown 
people  and  three  children. 

We  passed  on  our  way  the  wreck  of  a  mansion,  once 
occupied  by  Dr.  Jenkins,  a  prominent  man  amongst  the 
secessionists,  who  had  a  plantation  of  considerable  size. 
The  mansion  in  its  day  was  considered  about  the  greatest 
establishment  on  the  islands,  and  a  rendezvous  of  gaiety 
and  reveling.  Now  the  house  is  a  picture  of  desolation, 
reminding  one  of  some  of  the  passages  in  Scripture  that 
told  what  would  become  of  some  of  those  places  where 
God  was  not  feared. 

We  were  told  that  at  the  time  of  the  battle  of  Hilton 
Head  the  planters  round  about  assembled  on  the  porches 
of  the  Jenkins  mansion,  watching  with  a  spyglass,  but 
when  the  Confederate  flag  at  Hilton  Head  was  lowered 
and  the  United  States  flag  ran  up,  they  concluded  it  was 
time  for  them  to  evacuate  the  islands  and  make  their 
escape  to  the  main  land. 

In  one  of  the  rooms  of  the  mansion  is  quartered  an  old 
negro  named  Samson,  said  to  be  over  one  hundred  years 
old,  and  his  wife  does  not  look  much  younger.  Samson 
was  an  old  butler,  very  polite.  We  had  a  nice  talk  with 
them.     Both  as  yet  have  their  faculties. 

Returned  by  a  different  route  and  made  our  way  to 
the  neighborhood  of  the  hall  where  we  had  our  meeting. 
Called  on  Dr.  Peters  in  his  office,  which  had  been  tem- 
porarily fixed  up  to  accommodate  his  apothecary  shop, 


314  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i893 

Dr.  Peters  being  among  those  of  whom  the  colored  people 
say,  "The  waves  they  wash  him,  the  waves  they  wash 
him."  This  rather  implies  that  his  house  was  washed 
away.  When  the  waves  or  wind  beat  against  a  man  or 
house,  and  he  or  the  house  stood,  they  say  '"licked"  him 
or  it. 

The  doctor  said  there  was  a  good  deal  of  grippe  in 
the  country  round  about,  although  not  in  as  a  bad  a  form 
as  two  or  three  years  ago,  but  oh !  if  it  is  grippe  at  all  in 
the  tents  or  dirt  cabins  without  fire,  it  will  be  grippe 
indeed  with  misery. 

The  government  sent  out  a  sanitary  department  after 
the  storm  to  take  measures  to  avoid  a  pestilence,  and 
assistance  was  rendered  to  have  interment  of  dead  bodies 
and  carcasses,  but  some  provision  for  the  sick  and  infirm 
should  be  made.  The  court  houses  might  be  enlarged  or 
improved. 

Dr.  Peters  is  from  Frankford,  and  somewhat  ac- 
quainted with  Frankford  Friends.  He  has  a  brother 
who  is  a  practicing  physician  in  Jenkintown,  which 
affords  him  eight  thousand  dollars  a  year,  but  there  is 
no  alarming  symptoms  of  Dr.  Peters  getting  rich  off  his 
practice  on  St.  Helena  Island  yet  a  while !  He  told  us 
of  his  exertions  in  making  his  way  to  Beaufort,  he  being 
about  the  first  to  get  there,  the  roads,  of  course,  being 
impassable  for  a  horse.  There  was  much  climbing  and 
wading,  and  there  is  still  some  difficulty  in  getting  round 
amongfst  those  he  visits  because  of  the  fallen  timber. 


Age  63      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  315 

We  passed  on  to  the  residence  of  one  of  the  name  of 
McDonald,  whose  wife  is  a  sister  of  Dr.  Peters.  I  rather 
suppose  she  got  out  of  bed  to  see  us,  as  she  had  been  laid 
by  with  the  grippe,  as  well  as  her  husband  and  child. 
McDonald  is  one  of  the  firm  of  J.  J.  Dale  &  Co. 

Passed  on  to  the  receiving  depot  of  J.  J.  Dale  &  Co., 
about  three-quarters  of  a  mile  distance.  There  we  saw 
G.  J.  Wilkins,  another  partner  of  the  firm.  He  was  very 
courteous  and  showed  us  over  the  storehouse,  packing 
house,  cotton  gin  and  wharf  property.  We  heard  his 
relation  of  his  experience  the  night  of  the  storm,  and 
his  great  sense  of  helplessness.  One  steamboat  was  run 
up  and  lodged  against  the  trees  in  front  of  his  house, 
and  another  is  in  a  poor  condition,  high  and  dry  up 
against  their  warehouse. 

G.  J.  Wilkins  was  very  much  concerned  in  regard  to 
the  effect  the  night  of  the  storm  would  have  on  his  wife, 
and  he  still  feels  the  effect  on  his  own  system.  It  was 
some  time  after  that  night  before  he  could  speak  to  any 
one  m  a  natural  way.  I  suppose  he  felt,  in  addition  to 
fear  of  personal  safety,  that  the  firm  was  ruined. 

There  appeared  about  sixty  women  in  the  sorting  room, 
who  can  make  from  forty  to  sixty  cents  a  day ;  these  walk 
some  three  to  six  miles,  and  work  about  three  days  in 
the  week,  when  another  set  of  women  is  taken  in  for 
three  days.  Seventy-five  women  appeared  to  be  the  full 
complement. 

The  machinery  for  taking  out  the  seed  and  preparing 


316  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i893 

the  long  staple  cotton  seemed  elaborate  to  my  unpracticed 
eye,  but  it  brought  out  the  product  in  a  very  pretty 
manner.  I  was  told  by  G.  J.  Wilkins  that  they  had  put 
out  in  a  year  2,200  bales  of  cotton,  600  pounds  in  each 
bale,  but  this  year  they  only  had  about  one-quarter  of  a 
crop.  There  had  passed  over  their  wharf  property  mer- 
chandize to  the  amount  of  two  hundred  and  fifteen  thou- 
sand dollars  in  a  year.  This  year  they  had  not  only  lost 
two  or  three  of  their  stores  with  their  contents,  but  the 
crop  of  the  colored  people  having  been  so  nearly  de- 
stroyed it  was  impossible  for  them  to  pay  the  money  that 
had  been  advanced  to  them,  and  it  would  be  the  old  story 
that  they  would  have  to  be  advanced  again,  or  to  that 
import. 

Some  amusing  incidents  occur  with  all  their  affliction, 
one  of  which  is  recorded  in  the  Xew  York  Tribune  of 
the  24th  inst.,  when  conversation  is  related  between  one 
of  the  partners  of  this  firm  and  a  goodly  colored  woman, 
who  was,  in  company  with  a  number,  going  up  to  the 
store,  but  whose  feelings  were  aroused  at  the  insinuation 
that  she  was  a  beggar,  when  she  said  she  was  just  going 
up  to  one  of  the  other  partners  to  draw  a  little  money  he 
had  of  hers. 

A  rightly  conducted  savings  bank  might  have  been,  and 
still  would  be,  a  great  blessing  to  them;  but  to  say  it 
would  be  a  bank  of  safety  down  there  might  be  saying 
more  than  could  be  verified. 

We  were  taken  by  appointment  to  the  store  of  J.  J. 


Age  63      DIARY  AND   CORRESPONDENCE  317 

Dale.  Partner  Wilkins  had  prepared  himself  to  see  us 
to  Beaufort  with  his  own  conveyance  as  far  as  the  bridge, 
and  then  by  transportation  by  boat  to  the  other  side, 
where  we  had  to  put  up  with  such  conveyances  as  we 
found.  But  if  the  good  stock  had  been  drowned,  and  all 
the  good  vehicles  broken  up,  it  is  to  be  supposed  that 
passengers  will  have  to  take  what  they  can  get  or  go 
afoot. 

The  stock  on  hand  appears  to  be  mustangs,  with  a  few 
cows  and  oxen;  but  I  judge  the  latter  are  being  reduced 
for  their  meat.  One  man  I  heard  killed  his  cow  to  share 
with  his  neighbors  that  he  thought  were  likely  to  starve. 

W.  Evans,  W.  J.  Wilkins  and  J.  S.  E.  having  a  mustang 
apiece,  or  at  least  I  took  them  to  be  mustangs,  and  with 
a  colored  driver,  away  we  started  across  Ladies'  Island 
towards  Beaufort;  but  if  I  could  have  had  my  choice  I 
would  rather  have  taken  my  risk  in  one  of  the  ox  carts. 
I  soon  found  that  mustangs  could  easily  be  underrated  as 
to  strength,  but  with  a  driver  about  as  reckless  as  they 
were  wild  there  was  no  telling  when  we  would  be  landed 
in  the  ditch.  However,  when  the  nags  got  a  little  tired, 
they  kept  more  in  line ;  and,  with  a  fixing  up  of  a  quiler, 
the  harness  held  together  for  the  trip,  which  was  made 
across  the  island  quicker  than  was  expected.  Fourteen 
of  us  got  into  a  ferryboat  and  were  rowed  across  the 
channel,  said  to  be  one-half  mile  wide,  by  a  colored 
man  with  one  leg.  I  did  not  know  that  a  boat  that  size 
could  carry  so  many,  and  some  of  us  had  baggage.     We 


318  JOSEPH   S.  ELKINTON  i893 

made  the  passage  in  safety,  for  which  I  felt  thankful, 
and  made  our  way  to  the  custom  house. 

William  Evans  left  for  home ;  and  Clara  Barton,  having 
expressed  a  desire  to  see  me,  I  went  to  the  office  of  the 
Red  Cross.  After  a  little  conversation  with  one  of  the 
doctors  and  his  wife,  who  was  also  a  doctor,  I  was  shown 
to  the  room  of  Clara  Barton,  which  was  fitted  up  to 
answer  the  place  of  parlor,  bedroom  and  office. 

I  found  her  to  be  a  woman  of  quite  medium  size,  rather 
simply  attired  and  apparently  delicate  frame;  I  would 
judge  over  sixty  years  of  age;  a  model  of  self-control 
until  those  that  might  visit  her  had  made  their  state- 
ments, or  given  their  points,  and,  it  might  be,  answered 
her  questions,  and  then  ability  to  communicate  was  in  no 
wise  lacking. 

After  I  had  given  my  relation  of  the  errand  that 
William  Evans  and  I  had  been  on,  and  the  body  we 
represented  and  what  we  had  witnessed,  together  with 
what  we  had  heard  in  the  collective  and  more  private 
gatherings,  and  my  general  sense  of  the  situation,  she 
let  George  Pullman,  her  right-hand  man,  know  that  she 
wished  an  hour's  talk. 

On  hearing  of  the  calamity,  she  told  her  informants 
and  interceders  that  she  would  not  take  the  matter  up, 
and  held  off  until  different  relief  committees  in  the 
different  places  had  had  some  trial  of  it.  Then  Senator 
Butler  applied  to  her  and  offered  to  go  with  her;  and, 
accompanied  by  the  Governor  of   South   Carolina,   the 


Age  63      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  319 

trip  was  made,  and  the  Governor  issued  a  proclamation 
to  the  effect  that  the  matter  of  rehef  would  be  given 
over  to  her  financially  and  executively,  and  he  wished 
the  different  relief  committees  to  turn  the  matter  over 
to  her. 

The  Red  Cross,  then  being  considered  in  the  position 
of  the  dispensers  of  what  might  be  placed  in  their  hands, 
sent  out  persons  over  the  islands  to  prospect  and  report 
the  situation.  The  field  being  large,  they  had  to  govern 
themselves  accordingly. 

There  is  no  doubt  that  tact  and  ability  was  shown  in 
the  management  in  some  particulars,  as  when  some  one 
would  come  to  ask  for  assistance  to  put  up  a  house,  and 
the  applicant  would  seem  to  have  some  mind,  and  there 
was  reason  to  believe  he  would  put  up  the  house  if  he 
had  a  little  lumber  given  him.  In  one  case  a  man  was 
sent  out  to  make  inquiry  and  report  how  many  there 
were  who  would  be  benefited  in  his  neighborhood  by 
lumber  and  helping  one  another  to  build,  and  it  was 
surprising  what  six  thousand  feet  of  lumber  did  in  that 
settlement. 

In  another  instance  where  twenty-five  houses  were 
destroyed  and  forty-five  wanted  repairing,  how  they  were 
rebuilt  and  renewed  by  the  men  with  ten  thousand  feet 
of  lumber,  the  men  going  into  the  woods  and  cutting  out 
the  square  timbers.  The  Red  Cross  gave  these  men 
double  rations  for  the  time  being,  as  they  also  allowed 
double  rations  for  those  who  were  digging  ditches  in 


320  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i893 

front  of  their  own  and  their  neighbors'  lands,  for  it 
appeared  the  land  was  wet  and  soured  and  wanted  drain- 
ing, and  the  wells  being  filled  with  salt  water,  had  to  be 
baled  or  pumped  out  and  cleaned. 

It  was  advised  that  the  potatoes  and  corn  that  were 
water-soaked  should  be  burned,  lest  the  wells  should  be 
polluted. 

The  food  that  was  distributed  last  month  by  the  Red 
Cross  was  estimated  at  about  three  thousand  dollars,  and 
they  think  they  will  want  six  thousand  next  month,  inde- 
pendent of  what  would  be  wanted  for  the  sick.  I  under- 
stood they  had  sent  a  trained  nurse  into  each  district. 

Whilst  the  amount  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  Red 
Cross  has  in  the  aggregate  amounted  to  a  large  sum,  yet 
all  that  may  have  been  given  in  money,  goods  and  mer- 
chandize of  all  kinds  has,  in  my  view,  been  wholly  in- 
adequate to  the  needs  of  the  people  who  suffered  by  the 
storm,  nor  did  I  think,  from  all  I  have  learned,  that  the 
Red  Cross  is  at  all  equal  to  the  magnitude  of  the  emer- 
gency, and  without  help,  additional  to  that  which  they  are 
likely  to  render,  there  will  be  an  increased  mortality  from 
want  of  food  and  clothing,  and  probably  in  places  of  fuel. 

On  leaving,  C.  B.  said  she  was  glad  of  the  interview 
and  obliged  for  my  patience ;  and  with  some  other  kindly 
expressions  we  parted,  and  I  traveled  back  to  the  custom 
house  and  had  a  farewell  call  with  General  Small. 

Twelfth  month  2g.  After  bidding  farewell  to  Rachel 
C.  Mather  and  her  household  I  went  with  George  Gage, 


Age  63      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  321 

who  was  waiting  for  me,  to  his  home  and  spent  a  very 
pleasant  evening  with  them,  also  D.  Karcher  and  wife. 
D.  C.  Wilson  and  wife  came  to  spend  the  evening  with 
us.  D.  C.  W.  being  a  man  amongst  men,  he  gave  me 
some  very  interesting  accounts  relating  to  the  history 
of  South  Carolina,  and  more  particularly  of  the  result 
of  the  continued  application  to  the  Legislature  for  a  re- 
duction in  the  tax  on  phosphate  from  105  to  50  or  55 
cents,  with  the  condition  that  there  should  be  an  increase 
when  the  price  went  up  in  the  market.  A  commission 
had  been  sent  down  from  Columbia,  and  the  sight  of  the 
wrecked  boats  and  dredges  was  quite  an  object  lesson, 
without  the  sight  of  which  it  was  hardly  thought  the 
petition  would  have  been  granted.  D.  C.  W.  said  the 
dredgers  would  now  feel  in  heart  to  start  up  their  busi- 
ness again,  which  would  give  employment  to  a  consid- 
able  number  of  men. 

I  felt  well  repaid  for  staying  overnight  at  Beaufort. 

Had  about  two  minutes  to  spare  at  the  depot  before 
taking  the  train,  and,  the  rain  continuing  pretty  much 
through  the  day,  the  progress  over  the  swamps  and  chan- 
nels was  exceedingly  slow.  The  term  crawling  along 
would  be  much  more  appropriate  than  to  say  the  train 
was  a  flyer,  but  Charleston  was  reached  in  safety. 

Took  quarters  at  the  Charleston  House  and  started  out 
to  see  the  Mayor,  as  it  was  thought  if  I  would  go  at  once 
without  waiting  for  dinner  I  might  see  him  in  his  office, 
but  I  missed  him,  as  he  was  gone  for  the  day.     I  then 


322  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i893 

went  to  the  office  of  the  Chairman  of  the  Relief  Com- 
mittee, Joseph  Barnwell,  to  hear  what  he  could  tell  me 
of  the  condition  of  the  islands  about  Charleston  and  of 
sufferers  on  the  main  land. 

I  found  him  a  man  apparently  not  much  in  sympathy 
with  the  negro.  He  thought  they  were  clothed  enough ; 
and,  as  for  giving  them  bacon,  it  was  useless,  and  ac- 
counts were  exaggerated.  Still  he  admitted  that  when 
they  began  to  give  out  rations  that  about  all  of  the 
islanders  came  after  them,  and  that  the  islands  were 
nearly  depopulated.  They  had  received  about  eight 
thousand  dollars,  dispensed  five  thousand  and  gave  three 
thousand  to  the  Red  Cross  at  the  recommendation  of  the 
Governor.  Their  committee  did  not  like  it  very  much, 
but  seeing  the  Governor  desired  it,  they  felt  like  respect- 
ing his  wishes. 

He  informed  me  that  the  islands  roundabout  Charles- 
ton were  chiefly  owned  by  the  whites,  whilst  those  round- 
about Beaufort  were  chiefly  owned  by  colored  people, 
and  that  there  were  very  few  white  people  on  them.  I 
might  have  told  him  that  no  one  from  St.  Helena  Island 
had  yet  been  sent  to  the  poorhouse,  and  but  one  murder 
committed  for  many  years  by  one  of  the  colored  people 
on  St.  Helena. 

He  also  told  me  that  he  was  chairman  of  the  Relief 
Committee  at  the  time  of  the  earthquake,  and  that  six 
hundred  thousand  dollars  had  come  into  their  hands,  and 
it  was  the  means  of  enabling  the  city  to  build  up  again. 


Age  63      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  323 

After  dinner  I  took  a  walk  to  see  a  little  of  the  city. 
Called  at  the  jail,  which  seems  like  a  nice  structure,  well 
adapted  to  its  purpose,  with  about  fifty  inmates.  The 
orphan  asylum  is  a  very  pretty  building,  with  a  nice  piece 
of  ground  in  front  of  it — two  hundred  and  fifty  inmates. 
The  Roman  Catholics  are  building  a  famous  cathedral, 
the  bishop's  residence  nearby  is  quite  imposing,  with  other 
structures  roundabout  of  which  the  Catholics  have  con- 
trol. 

Saw  the  statue  of  John  C.  Calhoun,  perched  up  at  a 
great  height  in  front  of  the  barracks.  On  the  same 
pedestal,  some  twenty  or  thirty  feet  below,  was  a  figure 
representing  his  wife  in  a  sitting  posture.  It  seemed 
curious  that  a  man's  wife  should  be  seated  about  half 
as  high  as  himself.  I  suppose  that  may  have  been  a 
Southern  rating,  but  I  do  not  think  it  is  the  rating  of 
the  North  at  this  age.  Several  other  public  buildings 
were  pointed  out  as  I  strolled  along  to  the  river  front, 
where  I  saw  some  of  the  wrecks  strewn  around,  although 
four  months  had  allowed  time  for  some  of  the  things  to 
be  straightened  out. 

There  are  many  grievances  that  still  exist  in  this  part 
of  the  country — the  old  feeling  of  aristocracy  and  cruelty 
to  the  negro  has  by  no  means  died  out.  I  was  told  that 
Governor  Tilghman  said  the  choicest  relic  he  had  in  his 
parlor  was  the  rifle  he  used  at  the  massacre  of  the  blacks 
at  a  given  point. 

D.   C.  Wilson  gave  as  a  piece  of  statistics  that  the 


324  JOSEPH  S.   ELKINTON  i893 

taxable  property  of  the  negro  in  the  United  States  was 
four  hundred  millions,  which  would  be  about  fifty  dollars 
to  every  individual.  I  have  seen  the  statistics  of  the 
whites  to  the  import  that  it  was  one  thousand  dollars  to 
an  individual,  so  that  as  yet  the  negro  has  about  one- 
twentieth  of  the  property,  and  one-eighth  or  one-ninth  of 
the  population,  a  disparity  that  need  not  excite  any  imme- 
diate alarm,  nor  should  it  if  the  condition  were  reversed, 
and  all  under  the  government  of  the  Prince  of  Peace. 

One  James  ^^'igg  spoke  of  help  being  wanted  on  the 
main  land,  and  spoke  of  one  or  two  plantations  where 
every  house  was  carried  away  or  wrecked,  and  also  spoke 
of  two  plantations  where  no  help  had  been  afforded. 

An  interesting  incident  was  told  of  a  mother  who 
started  off  with  three  children,  two  of  them  behind  her 
holding  on  to  her  dress  and  her  oldest  boy  in  front  of  her, 
she  holding  on  to  the  collar  of  his  coat.  She  was  asked 
why  she  put  him  before  her,  for  she  could  stand  in  deeper 
water  than  he  could.  "Yes,"  she  said,  "but  if  I  went  first 
into  the  ditch,  we  might  have  all  been  drowned ;  but  if  he 
got  in  a  ditch  I  could  drag  him  out  by  the  collar  and  we 
all  be  saved." 

Tivelfth  month  50.  Had  an  early  breakfast  and  took 
7.15  train  from  Charleston  to  Columbia,  passing  over  a 
flat  country  with  much  swampy  ground  and  poor  build- 
ings. Arrived  about  11.15.  Called  on  Emily  Williams, 
Bishop  Salter  and  the  widow  of  the  late  Bishop  Dicker- 
son,  who  told  me  how  to  find  the  residence  of  Ellen  C. 


Age  63      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE         325 

Brayton,  who,  in  the  correspondence  I  had  with  her, 
invited  me  to  call  on  them.  I  was  very  hospitably  re- 
ceived and  entertained.  She  is  the  wife  of  Ellery  Bray- 
ton, a  man  of  considerable  means  or  large  possessions, 
holding  four  thousand  acres  of  land,  in  addition  to  other 
property.  On  telling  her  of  my  desire  to  see  the  Gov- 
ernor, she  kindly  wrote  a  note  and  sent  it  to  him,  asking 
him  to  appoint  a  time  when  he  would  grant  an  interview, 
and  word  came  back  appointing  four  o'clock. 

I  had  some  interesting  conversation  with  Ellery  Bray- 
ton in  regard  to  the  granting  of  leases  to  tenants  and 
taking  liens  on  the  crops.  The  land  is  let  out  in  lots 
from  ten  to  thirty  acres,  at  prices  varying  from  one  to 
four  or  five  dollars  an  acre.  Each  plot  rented  was  ex- 
pected to  have  a  house  on  it,  and  in  most  cases  there  was 
a  mule  hired,  and  the  agreement  on  the  part  of  the  land- 
lord to  furnish  a  given  amount  of  fertilizer. 

Called  on  the  Governor,  whom  I  found,  as  was  re- 
ported, a  pretty  rough-looking  man.  He  was,  however, 
frank  and  open;  but  had  not  much  sympathy  for  the 
blacks.  He  said  the  condition  about  Beaufort  was  a 
peculiar  one.  There  were  forty  thousand  blacks  in 
Beaufort  county,  and  only  fifteen  hundred  whites,  and 
that  whilst  it  would  be  a  disgrace  to  allow  the  people  to 
perish,  yet  a  state  government  had  need  to  be  careful  how 
they  took  up  charity  lest  it  should  be  abused. 

After  considerable  conversation  we  parted  in  a  friendly 
Avay,  he  saying  he  was  willing  to  be  communicated  with 


326  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1893 

at  any  time  and  give  an  opinion  if  desired.  I  was  well 
satisfied  with  having  had  an  interview  and  feel  that  the 
door  is  open  for  further  correspondence. 

Returned  to  Brayton's  to  lodge,  easy  in  mind  for  the 
homecoming  trip. 


CHAPTER  XII. 
Religious  Services  in  Philadelphia  and  Vicinity. 

Fourth  month  i,  18^4.  After  our  appointed  meeting 
last  evening  I  heard  that  there  were  thirty-five  CathoHcs 
outside  the  building  who  had  heard  what  was  said,  and 
a  police  officer  among  them,  who  appeared  to  be  particu- 
larly impressed.  The  police  officer  was  not  there  at  my 
request,  but  I  think  he  was  not  out  of  place.  The  Roman 
Catholics  were  probably  afraid  to  come  in  lest  they  should 
be  censured  by  their  priests. 

Fourth  month  2.  Our  dear  little  granddaughter,  Edith, 
passed  away  this  afternoon.  As  I  rode  along  in  the  car 
before  hearing  of  her  death  I  was  favored  with  a  feeling 
of  quietness,  and  the  words  came  to  me,  "In  the  Divine 
Hand."  I  trust  they  are  applicable  to  both  the  survivors 
and  the  dear  departed  one. 

Fourth  month  j.  At  brother  Thomas'  request  went 
with  him  to  the  Southwestern  burying  ground,  where  he 
decided  upon  the  purchase  of  lots  271  and  272,  section  B. 

Fourth  month  5.  At  the  funeral  of  our  dear  grand- 
child we  had  a  goodly  gathering  of  sympathizers,  the 
house  being  pretty  well  filled.  Aunt  Abigail  Vail,  Virginia 
Sellew,  Mary  S.  Walton,  Rebecca  Kite,  William  U.  Ditz- 
ler,  Charles  Rhoads,  all  had  something  to  offer.  Son 
Alfred  said,  "He  whom  Edith  called  upon — the  Saviour — 
said  'Suffer  little  children  to  come  unto  Me  and  forbid 

327 


328  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i894 

them  not.'  "  I  felt  drawn  to  the  company  downstairs,  feel- 
ing it  was  due  them  that  I  should  show  them  we  appre- 
ciated the  sympathy  shown  by  them  in  coming,  so  I  went 
down  and  addressed  them  in  that  line.  I  also  alluded  to 
the  feelings  I  had  when  an  infant  sister  died  when  I  was 
small,  and  I  thought  I  prayed  with  all  my  strength  for 
her  life  and  thought  it  strange  she  did  not  live,  but  I  had 
not  then  learned  that,  like  those  who  were  with  our 
Saviour  when  on  earth,  we  had  need  to  ask  Him  to  teach 
us  how  to  pray.  I  afterward  appeared  in  supplication. 
At  the  graveside  cousin  Benjamin  Vail  offered  a  short 
petition  and  son  Joseph  said  a  few  words,  commencing, 
"And  the  spirit  to  Him  who  gave  it." 

Fourth  month  26.  Went  into  one  of  the  synagogues  of 
the  Jews  and  had  an  interview  with  the  chief  rabbi.  Our 
conversation  was  on  religious  subjects.  He  told  me  there 
were  forty  thousand  Jews  in  this  city.  It  is  the  time  of 
the  keeping  of  the  Passover,  and  in  the  basement  I  saw 
a  number  of  Jews  standing  with  their  hats  on,  and,  I  was 
told,  in  the  attitude  of  prayer.  There  were  many  candles 
burning,  although  it  was  not  yet  sundown.  It  seemed  to 
be  a  recess  in  their  time  of  worship  when  I  was  there, 
and  those  I  took  to  be  their  principal  men  were  quite 
friendly  and  disposed  to  hear  all  that  I  offered.  I  ex- 
plained to  them  in  what  I  believed  spiritual  worship 
consisted,  as  also  how  I  believed  the  true  Passover  might 
be  kept. 

Fourth   month   2y.     This   day   I   complete   my  sixty- 


Age  64      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  329 

fourth  year  and  my  wife  her  fifty-eighth.  We  are  now 
in  the  thirty-eighth  year  that  we  have  Hved  together  and 
have  witnessed  many  exercises  and  many  mercies.  May 
the  preserving  and  supporting  power  of  our  Heavenly 
Father  be  with  and  underneath  us  to  the  end. 

Sixth  month  tj.  Went  to  the  meeting  in  the  Simpson 
Memorial  building  on  Kensington  avenue,  above  Cam- 
bria, which  I  understood,  when  the  arrangement  was 
made  with  the  pastor,  was  to  be  conducted  after  the 
manner  of  our  Society,  but  on  arrival  we  found  the  pastor 
engaged  with  a  number  of  children  singing  in  a  side  room, 
and  on  going  with  them  into  the  large  room  found  quite 
a  number  assembled,  three  hundred  or  more  being  pres- 
ent. The  pastor  seemed  decided  on  opening  the  meeting 
in  his  own  way  and  then  handing  it  over  to  us.  There 
seemed  no  other  way  than  to  let  it  be  so,  without  making 
more  of  a  disturbance  than  would  be  profitable.  He  had 
some  singing,  and  then  a  vocal  prayer,  and  then  a  few 
introductory  remarks  in  giving  the  time  to  us.  I  em- 
braced the  opportunity,  stating  that  we  were  moving 
amongst  the  people,  hoping  to  be  brought  into  sympathy 
Avith  them,  and  as  the  name  of  the  Saviour  was  so  much 
on  the  lips  of  the  people,  the  children  having  sung  that 
He  was  a  "wonderful  Saviour,''  I  added  that  He  might 
be  known  among  them,  not  only  because  they  had  read 
or  heard  of  Him,  but  by  living  experience.  We  all  might 
know  Him  as  the  Everlasting  Father  and  through  his 
glorious  gospel  be  made  new  creatures,  followers  of  Him 


330  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i894 

with  a  reverential  sense  of  his  divinity.  It  was  touching 
and  interesting  to  be  with  so  many  children  and  young 
people. 

Seventh  month  j.  I  had  a  feeling  inter\'iew  with  the 
warden  of  the  Eastern  State  Penitentiary.  He  had  given 
me  a  book  of  his  to  read,  and  I  gave  him  my  views  on  it. 
Whilst  I  could  not  approve  of  capital  punishment,  which 
he  thought  was  warranted  in  the  case  of  three  crimes ; 
nor  could  I  agree  with  him  on  the  point  that  intemperance 
was  not  the  cause  of  much  of  the  crime  prevailing,  for  I 
believed  it  was,  and  I  hardly  agreed  with  him  on  what  he 
calls  the  one-man  government,  yet  I  do  believe  that  the 
thirty-four  years  he  has  spent  in  that  institution  have 
resulted  in  his  making  that  prison  very  much  of  a  model 
for  cleanliness  and  comfort  and  low  death  rate  compared 
with  other  institutions;  and  whilst  the  warden  may  hold 
different  views  and  have  different  religious  associations, 
yet  I  trust  he  is  the  object  of  Divine  mercy  and  regard, 
and  his  work  on  prisons  is  valuable  for  reference. 

Eighth  month  6.  At  our  Quarterly  Meeting  I  brought 
up  a  subject  that  had  been  on  my  mind  for  some  time 
in  the  second  meeting,  stating  that  whilst  it  was  the  busi- 
ness of  our  meeting  emphatically  to  labor  for  the  build- 
ing up  of  the  body,  yet  was  there  not  a  duty  towards  the 
community  in  our  collective  capacity,  and  whilst  we  had 
cause  for  thankfulness  that  we  had  been  spared  some  of 
the  great  trials  that  had  been  in  other  parts  of  the 
country,  and  we  had  institutions  that  were  a  credit  before 


Age  64      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  331 

the  world,  yet  the  evils  that  abounded  were  subjects 
which  should  exercise  our  minds,  and  the  question  was 
whether  it  might  not  be  right  to  address  our  fellow- 
citizens  thereon?  The  multiplying  of  the  theatres  and 
other  places  of  amusements,  and  the  evidences  we  had 
of  the  licentiousness  of  some  of  the  police  officers,  were 
very  grievous,  and  there  was  too  much  reason  to  fear 
those  officers  connived  with  much  of  the  wickedness.  I 
did  not  want  to  be  anxious  in  reference  to  the  address.  I 
only  wanted  that,  for  our  sakes  and  the  welfare  of  those 
who  should  come  after  us,  we  should  be  concerned  to  do 
our  part  and  not  hold  back  because  we  felt  ourselves  to 
be  but  a  handful.  After  a  great  deal  of  unity  had  been 
expressed,  a  minute  was  made  as  follows : 

At  a  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Friend?    held  in  Philadelphia  the 
Sixth-day  of  the  Eighth  month,  1894 : 

The  attention  of  the  meeting  having  been  called  to  the  evil 
effect  of  places  of  amusements  in  this  city,  as  also  the  disposition 
to  foster  a  military  spirit  in  public  schools  and  in  other  ways, 
and  that  those  evils  are  on  the  increase,  with  but  little  hope  of  any 
check  being  applied  by  the  civil  laws,  the  subject  has  brought  us 
under  weighty  exercise  of  mind,  under  which  it  was  believed 
right  to  set  apart  a  few  friends  to  further  consider  the  subject, 
and  if  way  opens  for  it,  prepare  an  address  to  the  community  on 
these  and  kindred  matters  and  produce  it  to  our  next  meeting, 
namel}',  Joseph  S.  Elkinton,  George  J.  Scattergood,  James  E. 
Rhoads,  Richard  J.  Allen,  Edward  Maris,  Edwin  P.  Sellew,  Joel 
Cadbury,  John  W.  Biddle,  Ephraim  Smith  and  Benjamin  Vail. 
Taken  from  the  Minutes. 

Ephraim  Smith,  Clerk. 


332  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i894 

Eighth  month  20.  Met  with  a  person  to-day  who  had 
a  great  respect  for  Friends,  and  wanted  to  know  about 
the  way  to  become  a  member,  to  which  I  replied  that  it 
took  a  good  deal  to  make  a  Friend,  and  more  to  keep  him 
when  he  is  made.  We  could  not  manufacture  them,  but 
when  the  Lord  made  them  we  wanted  to  own  them. 

Eighth  month  21.  This  evening  Edwin  P.  Sellew  and 
I  attended  a  meeting  on  Front  street,  below  Berks,  in  a 
place  that  was  a  mere  shed,  with  sawdust  on  the  ground 
and  old  chairs  to  seat  the  people.  For  a  time  it  seemed 
as  if  we  might  have  a  pretty  rough  company,  but  we 
settled  down  into  a  degree  of  solemnity  and  had  a  favored 
meeting.  After  I  had  made  some  expression  intended  to 
close  the  meeting,  the  pastor  was  so  impressed  he  used 
the  somewhat  extravagant  expression,  "If  you  have  not 
had  a  feast  from  Heaven  it  is  because  you  are  not  in 
condition  to  receive  it." 

Eleventh  month  22.  In  the  afternoon  met  the  com- 
mittee appointed  at  a  previous  meeting  to  pay  personal 
visits,  as  far  as  practical,  to  the  ministers  of  the  different 
denominations  to  deliver  the  Address  issued  by  our  Quar- 
terly Meeting. 

Eleventh  month  2^.  Called  on  several  Presbyterian 
and  Methodist  ministers,  who  received  the  Address 
kindly,  and  two  promised  to  call  the  attention  of  their 
respective  meetings  of  ministers  to  it.  One  promised  to 
see  that  every  family  in  his  congregation  was  supplied 
with  a  copy. 


Age  64      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  333 

I  went  to  the  residence  of  Patrick  John  Ryan,  the 
Roman  Catholic  archbishop,  and  asked  for  a  brief  inter- 
view. I  was  shown  into  a  parlor  and  allowed  to  wait 
for  twenty  minutes,  when  the  archbishop  came  in.  His 
manner  towards  me  was  pleasant.  After  we  were  together 
a  little  while  he  seemed  open  and  disposed  to  converse 
on  the  evils  that  abounded  in  our  city  and  said  he  would 
read  our  Address  and,  if  he  approved  of  it,  would  recom- 
mend it  to  the  clergy.  He  spoke  of  having  crossed  the 
ocean  with  one  of  our  members,  J.  Bevan  Braithwaite, 
and  on  my  observing  he  was  a  well-informed  man,  he 
said,  "Yes,"  and  that  he  was  much  interested  in  his 
conversation.  I  told  the  archbishop  that  whilst  it  was  our 
intention  to  distribute  the  Address  pretty  generally,  I 
chose  first  to  go  to  those  of  character  and  influence  in 
the  city  and  tell  them  what  I  had  in  view.  From  there 
I  went  to  see  the  Mayor,  and  had  the  privilege  of  quiet 
retirement  until  he  was  disengaged.  He  received  me 
openly,  and  not  only  promised  to  read  the  Address  which 
I  gave  him,  but  he  presented  me  with  a  Council's  Manual, 
containing  the  list  of  the  residences  of  the  members  of 
the  Select  and  Common  Councils,  and  recommended  me 
to  mail  the  Address  to  their  residences  that  their  families 
might  have  the  opportunity  to  read  it. 

Eleventh  month  26.  I  was  allowed  to  go  into  the 
meeting  of  the  Methodist  ministers  and  speak  concerning 
the  Address  by  our  Quarterly  ^Meeting,  and  left  a  suffi- 
cient number  of  copies  to  furnish  one  to  each  member. 


334  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i894 

I  met  with  a  very  kindly  response,  and  a  motion  was 
recorded  to  the  import  that  they  appreciated  what  had 
been  dehvered,  and  it  was  grateful  to  them  to  know  the 
concern  of  our  Society.  From  that  place  I  went  to  a 
meeting  of  colored  ministers  and  was  given  a  hearing 
and  received  a  favorable  response  to  what  I  offered. 

Eleventh  month  27.  I  went  to  see  Nicholas  Cantrell, 
vicar-general  of  the  Roman  Catholics.  I  was  taken  to 
the  second  story  and,  when  about  entering  his  private 
room,  it  was  observed  that  he  was  at  his  prayers.  When 
he  had  finished  he  came  into  the  entry,  and  invited  me  in, 
and  was  disposed  to  be  social.  He  was  eighty-two  years 
of  age,  and  has  been  in  that  place  nearly  fifty  years.  He 
said  he  would  read  the  Address,  and  allowed  me  to  leave 
some  for  distribution.  As  in  the  other  cases,  I  was 
granted  an  interview,  in  the  course  of  which  I  received 
more  information  of  the  condition  of  our  district  than 
from  any  other  source. 

Eleventh  month  i-p.  In  our  Monthly  Meeting  for  busi- 
ness I  stated  that  it  was  not  common  to  report  on  an 
imcompleted  service,  yet  as  I  had  held  a  minute  for  a 
year,  I  was  willing  to  know  the  mind  of  the  meeting 
about  continuing  to  hold  it.  I  stated  that  I  had  en- 
deavored to  keep  pretty  steadily  under  the  exercise  al- 
though I  was  away  from  the  city  for  a  time  in  the  South 
on  account  of  the  sufferers  by  the  cyclone. 

In  appointing  meetings  I  commenced  near  my  own 
home  and  along  the  river  side,  among  the  seafaring  men 


Age  64      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  335 

and  in  the  southeastern  part  of  the  city ;  then  went  to  the 
northeastern  portion.  Through  the  summer  months  I 
was  engaged  on  Lehigh  avenue  and  other  parts  of  the 
city  east  of  the  Schuylkill  river.  John  G.  Haines  and 
Edwin  P.  Sellew  accompanied  me,  and  we  had  been  met 
with  openness  and  had  been  supported.  Some  precious 
interviews  had  been  held  with  individuals  in  different 
conditions  of  life.  I  held  myself  open  or  resigned  to 
act  according  to  the  mind  of  the  meeting,  whether  Friends 
were  willing  for  me  to  still  hold  the  minute,  or  whether 
I  should  discontinue  the  work  after  the  engagements 
already  made  had  been  fulfilled.  There  was  a  very 
general  expression  of  willingness  that  I  should  hold  the 
minute  until  I  felt  the  service  was  accomplished. 

Twelfth  month  12.  I  have  been  moving  around,  seek- 
ing interviews  with  the  Roman  Catholic  priests,  which 
is  indeed  a  service  requiring  close  watchfulness  lest, 
under  an  appearance  of  suavity  of  manner,  there  may  be 
deceit  in  those  with  whom  we  come  in  contact,  and  yet 
I  cannot  complain  of  my  fare.  Had  an  interview  to-day 
with  the  chairman  of  the  Consistory  Board  of  the  Pres- 
bytery at  the  "Bethany."  He  was  very  pleasant,  and 
seemed  quite  disposed  to  aid  in  the  circulation  of  our 
Address, 

First  month  4,  i8pj.  At  the  noonday  meeting,  713 
Chestnut  street,  there  was  a  very  large  attendance.  Sev- 
eral ministers  of  other  societies,  and  quite  a  representa- 
tive of  the  younger  part  of  the  business  community,  were 


336  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i895 

present.  The  manager  appointed  by  the  Methodist  Con- 
ference to  have  charge  of  the  place  told  me  the  meeting 
gave  good  satisfaction,  and  that  he  himself  was  in- 
structed by  what  was  offered.  The  importance  of  integ- 
rity was  held  up  to  view,  also  the  avoidance  of  luxury 
and  excesses  of  all  kinds  as  being  of  evil  tendency  and 
bad  example,  and  the  Divine  blessing  was  to  be  desired 
over  and  above  any  earthly  consideration.  The  holding 
of  this  meeting  I  had  felt  to  be  a  weighty  exercise,  but  it 
seemed  right  to  embrace  the  opportunity,  as  it  was  some- 
thing of  an  introduction  among  the  business  men  in  the 
heart  of  the  city. 

First  month  5.  Physical  suffering  and  exercises,  both 
of  a  mental  and  spiritual  character,  have  been  the  portion 
of  many.  But  those  who  trust  in  the  Lord  and  do  His 
will  are  fed  with  food  convenient  for  them,  and  many 
can  testify  to  the  goodness  of  the  Lord  in  dispensing  his 
favors,  even  of  support  in  affliction.  Has  not  the  Lord 
supported  his  own  servants?  And  whether  they  have 
been  fed  with  the  bread  of  adversity,  or  the  water  of 
affliction,  or  have  known  more  of  the  blessing  of  Heaven 
above  and  the  earth  beneath,  yet  the  same  Lord  over  all 
has  proved  that  He  was  good  to  all  that  call  upon  Him, 
to  all  that  call  upon  Him  in  truth. 

Moving,  as  I  have  been,  among  the  people  and  attend- 
ing religious  concerns,  I  have  at  times,  when  alone  in 
my  private  room,  secretly  petitioned  for  my  own  and  my 
children's  sake,  that  our  business  might  be  cared  for  and 


Age  65      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  337 

at  the  close  of  the  year  might  have  yielded  sufficient  to 
cover  family  expenses  and  what  may  have  been  con- 
tributed to  the  necessities  of  others.  I  do  not  remember 
when  I  have  had  more  cause  for  gratitude  than  when 
this  petition  has  been  granted,  for  many  have  fallen 
short,  and  the  feeling  has  been  with  regard  to  the  out- 
ward, as  well  as  of  spiritual  application,  who  can  stand? 

At  the  appointed  meeting  at  the  branch  of  the  Young 
Men's  Christian  Association  the  attendance  was  not 
large,  but  we  had  a  satisfactory  meeting. 

First  month  24.  Not  long  since  I  received  a  letter 
from  a  man,  inquiring  where  he  could  obtain  writings 
explanatory  of  the  views  of  Friends.  Preferring  to  visit 
him,  I  have  had  an  interesting  interview.  He  stated  that 
he  had  been  at  various  places  of  worship,  without  much 
settlement;  but  that  some  months  ago,  sitting  in  Inde- 
pendence Square,  there  was  an  inward  voice  which  said 
to  him,  "Investigate  the  views  of  the  Society  of  Friends," 
which  he  rather  despised,  thinking  they  were  an  old-time, 
narrow-minded  people;  but  he  could  not  rid  himself  of 
the  monition  until  he  wrote  to  me,  having  seen  my  name 
in  the  directory  as  minister  of  the  meeting  nearest  him. 
He  was  not  a  believer  in  the  Divinity  of  Christ.  I  told 
him  I  did  not  think  it  best  to  argue  with  him.  I  could 
only  hope  for  the  breaking  forth  of  Light  that  would 
convince  him  and  I  must  leave  him  for  the  present  with 
his  Maker.     I,  however,  gave  him  a  copy  of  Barclay's 


338  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i895 

Apology,  and  told  him  other  books  could  be  obtained  at 
our  bookstore. 

First  month  2^.  At  our  Monthly  Meeting  my  son 
Joseph  appeared  in  the  line  of  prayer,  that  those  who 
might  not  be  in  a  watchful  state  and  were  insensible  when 
Jesus  of  Nazareth  was  passing  by  might  be  aroused  from 
their  insensibility.  In  the  second  meeting  there  was  a 
good  measure  of  Life  during  the  answers  of  the  queries, 
and  some  pertinent  remarks  made.  The  treasurer's 
report  was  an  interesting  one,  and  I  was  impressed  with 
the  amount  of  work  that  devolved  upon  the  treasurer, 
and  I  hope  that  my  son  William,  in  the  discharge  of  this 
trust,  may  be  favored  with  best  help.  We  have  been 
privileged  to  have  officers  in  our  Monthly  Meeting  who 
have  been  faithful  to  the  trusts  committed  to  them.  Such 
have  managed  the  concerns  of  Society  in  a  way  that  has 
brought  credit  to  it  and,  as  occasion  has  called  for  it, 
could  express  the  exercise  of  the  body  in  writing  so  as 
to  convey  a  clear  impression. 

Brother  Thomas,  as  clerk  of  the  Monthly  ^Meeting,  and 
Ephraim  Smith,  as  clerk  of  the  Quarterly  Meeting,  made 
just  and  clear  minutes,  and  I  have  heard  nothing  to  the 
contrary  concerning  sister  Sarah,  who  is  clerk  of  the 
Women's  Quarterly  Meeting. 

Fh'st  month  51.  This  afternoon  went  to  the  Roman 
Catholic  institution  at  Overbrook  and  saw  the  principal, 
and  had  the  most  open  talk  with  him  of  any  in  his 
position  in  reference  to  the  distribution  of  the  Address  of 


Age  65      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE         339 

our  Quarterly  Meeting.  He  expressed  quite  a  willingness 
to  take  part  therein.  He  said  there  were  one  hundred 
and  forty  students  there,  and  he  would  take  enough  to 
furnish  a  copy  to  each  one.  He  said  he  had  heard  of 
me,  and  was  glad  I  had  come  to  see  him.  This,  as  in 
other  cases,  brought  me  under  a  feeling  of  the  importance 
of  our  acting  consistently  with  our  profession.  I  do 
not  know  that  I  ever  felt  more  the  need  of  the  prayers 
of  my  friends,  including  those  of  sober  thoughtfulness 
outside  the  membership  of  our  Society,  that  I  might  keep 
my  proper  place  in  humility  and  serve  the  Lord  with 
reverence  and  godly  fear. 

Second  month  2/.  Our  meeting  this  evening  was  held 
at  Girard  avenue  and  Lawrence  street.  The  house  is 
not  large,  but  was  well  filled,  probably  three  hundred  and 
fifty  present.  The  minister  of  that  congregation  was 
evidently  in  a  very  kindly  spirit  towards  Friends,  and  on 
the  settling  of  the  meeting  there  was  a  remarkable  feeling 
of  peace  and  sweetness.  In  the  minister's  introductory 
remarks  he  spoke  highly  of  Friends,  and  said  he  never 
knew  of  one  of  them  keeping  a  saloon. 

Third  month  14.  An  Episcopalian  clergyman  called  to 
see  me,  having  heard  that  I  had  a  hand  in  the  Address 
we  had  been  distributing.  He  was  anxious  that  we 
should  do  something  more  than  we  had  already  done  by 
cautioning  the  people  against  the  introduction  of  the 
military  system  in  the  public  schools,  saying  that  the 
majority  of  the  members  of  the  Legislature  were  opposed 


340  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1S95 

to  the  bill  that  was  now  before  that  body,  but  it  was 
thought  the  minority  would  push  it  through,  for  the 
Governor  was  in  favor  of  it. 

Third  month  i6.  At  our  Meeting  for  Sufferings  this 
morning  I  opened  the  subject  that  the  Episcopalian  cler- 
gyman had  spoken  to  me  on,  and  it  resulted  in  the 
appointment  of  a  committee  to  prepare  a  remonstrance. 

Third  month  2j.  My  mind  turned  toward  the  Jewish 
synagogue  on  Broad  street  above  Columbia  avenue.  Re- 
formed Jews  they  call  themselves.  The  synagogue  is  a 
magnificent  one  inside,  \\hen  last  with  the  Rabbi,  J. 
Leonard  Levy,  I  felt  I  should  be  with  him  again,  and  I 
had  received  the  impression  that  he  was  to  speak  to-day 
on  "Christ  the  Enlightener."'  I  was  confirmed  in  my 
opinion,  previously  formed,  that  he  was  one  of  the  best- 
developed  young  men  intellectually  that  I  had  met,  and 
is  a  very  fluent  speaker.  What  he  said  was  very  much 
of  an  historical  character,  giving  an  account  of  what  is 
called  the  sanctuary  of  the  Lord  and  its  institutions.  He 
described  the  construction  of  the  temple  at  Jerusalem, 
and  said  that  in  the  state  of  slavery  the  artistic  talents 
of  the  Jews  could  not  be  developed,  therefore  there  were 
artists  brought  from  Tyre.  He  spoke  of  the  desecration 
of  the  temple,  and  of  its  reconstruction,  and  also  of  its 
final  destruction,  as  the  speaker  said,  by  a  firebrand 
applied  by  a  Roman  soldier ;  and  now,  he  stated,  the  sanc- 
tuary of  the  Lord  is  in  the  hearts  and  homes  of  the 
children  of  Israel. 


Age  65      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  341 

I  spent  about  an  hour  in  the  synagogue,  and  before 
leaving  I  told  J.  L.  Levy  that  I  was  under  the  impression 
that  he  was  to  speak  on  "Christ  the  Enlightener."  He 
replied,  "On  the  morrow."  He  had  said  in  his  discourse 
that  Jesus  Christ  received  his  education  in  the  Jewish 
synagogues  which  were  scattered  throughout  all  Judea, 
and  further  conversation  brought  out  the  assertion  from 
him  that  whilst  they  believed  Jesus  Christ  to  have  been 
a  great  teacher,  they  denied  his  divinity.  I  asked  him  if 
they  justified  his  crucifixion.  He  said  that  was  done  on 
political  grounds,  and  it  was  written  over  the  cross,  "King 
of  the  Jews." 

They  look  upon  the  story  of  Jesus  as  being  made  up 
for  fear  of  the  Romans ;  that  it  would  not  do  to  accuse 
the  Romans  of  the  crucifixion  of  Christ,  and  they  charged 
it  on  the  Jews.  My  spirit  yearned  over  that  young  man. 
What  will  all  the  brightness  of  intellect,  or  all  the  splen- 
dor of  their  temples  amount  to,  if  the  Holy  One  and  the 
Just  is  denied ;  if  they  will  not  come  to  Him,  in  whom 
there  is  life,  and  who  gives  eternal  life  to  his  followers? 
Other  foundation  can  no  man  lay  than  Jesus  Christ,  the 
same  yesterday,  to-day  and  forever.  It  is  hoped  that 
the  Lord  in  His  mercy  would  open  the  eyes  of  such  an 
one,  whose  talents,  if  sanctified,  might  fit  him  to  be  a 
noble  witness  for  the  Truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus. 

Third  month  28.  Soon  after  the  business  of  our 
Monthly  Meeting  was  entered  upon  I  stated  that,  having 
arrived   at  the  judgment  that  the  present  might  be   a 


342  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1895 

proper  time  to  give  up  the  minute  granted  me  in  Eleventh 
month,  1893,  I  did  so.  In  the  many  engagements  in 
public  meetings,  or  in  a  less  public  way,  there  had  been 
encountered  no  open  resentment.  The  work  had  been 
attended  with  some  exercise,  exposure  and  fatigue,  which 
were  not  worthy  to  be  compared  with  the  particular 
providences  and  mercies  that  had  been  witnessed.  The 
way  was  very  generally  opened  for  the  carrying  on  of 
the  concern,  there  being  very  few  cases  where  applica- 
tions for  places  to  hold  meetings  were  not  granted  with 
apparent  cheerfulness.  Blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord  ; 
there  are  those  in  the  community  who  are  honestly  en- 
deavoring to  serve  their  generation  according  to  the 
Divine  will. 

Sixth  month  28.  Called  on  William  U.  Ditzler,  who 
related  to  me  some  of  the  experiences  of  his  early  life. 
He  appears  to  have  been  seriously  inclined  from  his 
youth.  His  father  was  a  Lutheran  minister,  and  one  of 
his  ancestors  was  of  the  company  of  Germans  invited 
by  William  Penn  to  come  and  settle  in  Pennsylvania. 
When  near  sixteen  years  of  age  his  father  wanted  him 
to  be  confirmed,  which  William  stoutly  resisted,  and  his 
father  kept  him  in  seclusion  from  the  outside  world  for 
months,  telling  him  his  views  were  like  the  Quakers,  and 
he  wanted  him  to  get  rid  of  them.  Through  much  per- 
suasion he  was  induced  to  submit  to  the  confirmation  with 
certain  resen^ations.  During  the  time  of  comparative 
seclusion  William  broke  his  leg  and  suffered  much.     In 


Age  65      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  343 

the  course  of  time  he  obtained  a  situation  in  a  store  in 
Lancaster,  and  there  got  the  first  insight  into  the  tailoring 
business.  He  had  a  strong  drawing  to  Pliiladelphia,  and 
arrived  while  still  in  his  minority. 

Through  information  given  by  his  friends  where  he 
boarded,  he  found  his  way  to  Twelfth  Street  Meeting, 
where  a  communication  from  Mary  Ann  Lloyd  appears 
to  have  been  blessed  to  him  and  tended  to  settle  him  in 
adopting  that  as  his  meeting,  to  which  he  applied  for 
membership  before  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age. 
Knowing  his  father's  views,  Friends  thought  proper  to 
defer  granting  his  request  until  he  was  of  age,  as  he 
could  then  act  upon  his  own  responsibility.  Later  he 
was  accepted  as  a  member  and  visited  by  the  committee 
appointed  to  inform  him  of  the  fact.  One  of  the  com- 
mittee remarked  that  if  he  had  anything  to  say  to  them, 
they  would  be  glad  to  hear  it,  to  which  he  responded  that 
he  hoped  his  future  life  would  give  them  no  cause  to 
regret  their  action  in  the  matter. 

His  first  appearance  in  the  ministry  was  before  he 
became  a  member,  and  he  spoke  in  German.  A  professor 
in  one  of  the  medical  colleges  said  there  was  no  one  in 
that  meeting  who  understood  the  message  but  the  one 
for  whom  it  was  intended,  and  that  was  himself. 

Seventh  month  2j.  In  our  Monthly  Meeting  for  busi- 
ness I  opened  or  expressed  a  concern  to  attend  Ohio  and 
Western  Yearly  Meetings  and  some  of  the  meetings  com- 
posing them,  also  appoint  some  public  meetings  on  the 


344  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1895 

line  of  travel,  as  also  to  be  at  Tunesassa  at  or  near  the 
close  of  the  session.  There  was  a  very  fair  expression 
of  unity  with  the  concern  and  a  minute  was  granted. 

Eighth  month  6.  Left  Philadelphia  on  the  service  for 
which  I  was  liberated  by  my  Monthly  and  Quarterly 
Meetings. 

Tenth  month  12.  Have  received  word  of  the  death  of 
two  of  our  ablest  ministers — Clarkson  Sheppard  and 
Richard  Esterbrook.  I  question  if  their  equals  in  relig- 
ious experience  and  as  gospel  ministers  are  left  behind 
them.  They  were  both  true  friends  to  me,  manifesting 
an  interest  in  my  welfare,  and  in  their  company  I  had 
true  enjoyment.  The  manifestation  of  love  and  regard, 
by  word  of  mouth  and  by  their  letters  and  in  other  ways, 
rises  up  in  sweet  and  precious  remembrance,  and  not 
likely  ever  to  be  forgotten.  It  is  left  for  us,  as  we  are 
bereft  of  such  counselors,  to  seek  and  know  the  Lord  for 
our  refuge  and  dwelling  place.  It  was  impracticable  to 
get  home  in  time  for  dear  Clarkson  Sheppard's  funeral; 
and  I  am  sorry  that,  owing  to  there  being  no  train  east, 
we  will  be  unable  to  attend  that  of  Richard  Esterbrook, 
arriving  home  just  a  few  hours  too  late. 

Tenth  month  24.  In  the  Monthly  ^Meeting  to-day  I 
reported  that  through  Divine  favor  and  the  assistance  of 
those  among  whom  my  lot  was  cast,  I  had  been  enabled 
to  perform  the  service  for  which  I  had  been  liberated  by 
that  meeting  in  the  Seventh  month.  Had  visited  Friends 
in  Ohio  and  Indiana  and  had  held  nine  appointed  public 


Age  65      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  345 

meetings,  and  had  been  allowed  religious  opportunities  in 
the  State  Reformatory,  and  also  with  the  students  and 
professors  at  Earlham  College.  The  report  and  the  read- 
ing of  the  returning  minutes  were  kindly  received. 

Ephraim  Smith  stated  that  his  attention  had  been 
directed  to  the  subject  of  joining  Jonathan  E.  Rhoads  in 
the  pursuance  of  his  religious  visit  within  the  limits  of 
the  Yearly  Meetings  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  and 
he  could  not  feel  comfortable  in  turning  from  it  and 
felt  willing  to  hold  himself  open  to  go  if  the  Monthly 
Meeting  felt  satisfied  therewith.  He  wished  that  Friends 
would  express  their  judgment,  either  by  approval  or 
otherwise.  I  said  that  Jonathan  E.  Rhoads  was  engaged 
in  religious  service  with  the  unity  of  his  friends,  and  it 
was  reasonable  that  he  should  have  a  congenial  com- 
panion ;  and  that  Ephraim  Smith  was  such  we  had  ample 
evidence,  and  my  choice  was  that  he  should  be  liberated. 

Tenth  month  ji.  I  have  lately  been  notified  of  my 
being  elected  as  a  member  of  the  executive  committee 
of  the  Christian  League. 

I  went  to  their  office  and  was  told  of  what  they  were 
endeavoring  to  accomplish  in  the  line  of  reform,  and  I 
thought  they  were  at  work  in  a  business-like  way  that 
was  likely  to  effect  a  change  for  the  better,  but  I  did 
not  see  it  my  place  to  join  the  league,  and  went  to  the 
chairman  of  the  executive  committee  to  state  that  I  was 
not  prepared  to  accept  the  appointment,  and  there  was 
no  likelihood  of  my  complying  with  the  suggestion  put 


346  JOSEPH   S.   EIvKINTON  i896 

in  print  by  him;  that  there  should  be  men  chosen  from 
the  different  denominations  to  hold  regular  religious 
services  with  the  councils  of  this  city.  I  explained  that 
it  was  inconsistent  for  any  Friend  to  give  the  expectation 
that  he  would  regularly  engage  in  public  vocal  religious 
services,  for  we  believe  that  religious  service,  in  the  line 
of  the  ministry,  should  be  of  the  Lord's  appointing,  as 
well  as  the  matter  to  be  delivered  and  the  place.  Yet  it 
is  well  that  the  thoughts  of  the  people  should  be  turned 
toward  reform,  and  an  endeavor  made  to  bring  a  religious 
influence  to  bear  upon  the  men  in  authority.  Samuel 
Bettle,  Sr.,  has  said  it  requires  a  certain  amount  of  grace 
to  understand  Friends'  principles. 

Eleventh  month  g.  Went  to  the  steamer  Luciana  to 
see  Ephraim  Smith  off  on  his  journey  across  the  Atlantic. 

Eleventh  month  2^.  A  letter  from  brother  Ephraim 
informs  of  his  having  some  sickness  during  the  passage, 
and  that  the  pleasantest  sight  he  saw  on  arrival  was 
Jonathan  E.  Rhoads. 

Twelfth  month  16.  The  root  of  the  testimony  against 
war  is  no  other  than  Christian  love  and  that  righteous- 
ness which  produces  peace  and  quietness  and  perpetual 
assurance  of  a  natural  fruit. 

First  month  i,  i8p6.  It  was  concluded  by  our  firm  to 
allow  our  employees  to  stop  work  at  noon,  and  at  2  P.  M. 
to  return  with  their  families  to  a  dinner  provided  for 
them  at  the  factory.  A  table  was  set  in  the  third  story 
of  the  factory,  the  eastern  end  of  which  had  been  cleared 


Age  66      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  347 

for  the  purpose.  We  had  a  satisfactory  time  at  the 
table,  after  which  I  spoke  to  the  company,  reverting  to 
the  time  fifty-two  years  ago  when  there  was  a  similar 
occasion.  We  had  with  us  the  representatives  of  the 
fourth  generation,  my  grandson  Passmore  being  present. 
The  first  had  passed  away,  and  it  would  not  be  long  until 
those  of  us  of  the  second  would  pass  away,  and  the 
charge  of  afifairs  would  naturally  come  on  the  next. 
After  I  had  finished,  opportunity  was  given  to  George 
Irwin,  who  had  been  long  in  our  employ,  to  express 
himself.  He  said  he  had  thought  of  the  Scripture  passage 
as  being  appropriate,  and  upon  being  requested  to  quote 
it,  repeated,  "It  is  good  for  us  to  be  here."  He  also 
adverted  to  the  time  when  this  was  spoken  on  the  Mount, 
and  enlarged  thereon.  Two  others  of  our  employees 
made  kindly  remarks.  Son  Joseph  alluded  to  the  absence 
of  his  uncle,  Ephraim  Smith,  and  gave  a  very  just  tribute 
to  him.  Son  Alfred  also  spoke  in  a  way  I  felt  satisfied 
with,  as  also  son  William,  who  addressed  the  company 
after  the  hour  spent  in  witnessing  some  magic  lantern 
views,  kindly  shown  by  x\nna  Walton  and  William  Cow- 
perthwaite,  and  they  all  retired  with  apparently  very 
pleasant  feelings. 

First  month  26.  Having  had  my  mind  drawn  to  meet 
again  with  those  who  gather  on  First-day  evenings  at 
the  "Sunday  Breakfast  Association"  rooms,  and  finding 
that  William  U.  Ditzler  had  been  laboring  under  a  similar 
concern,   an   appointment   was   made    for  this   evening, 


348  JOSEPH  S.   ELKINTON  i896 

Charles  Rhoads  and  Edwin  P.  Sellew  joining  in  the 
concern. 

On  our  arrival  at  the  place,  I  suppose  twelve  hundred 
were  there;  and  I  was  told  there  were  three  hundred 
and  fifty  in  the  room  below.  I  expressed  a  concern  that 
I  had  on  my  mind  as  follows :  That  whilst  I  supposed 
there  was  but  a  small  proportion  of  those  present  that 
had  any  part  in  the  late  disturbances  in  our  city,  yet  I 
felt  to  enforce  the  great  desirableness  of  all  being  peace- 
loving  and  law-abiding  citizens,  and  I  felt  required  to 
present  to  their  view  that  we  should  be  in  a  spirit  to 
pray  that  those  in  authority  should  be  imbued  with  the 
spirit  of  justice  and  of  wisdom,  and  that  patience  should 
be  observed  by  all  who  felt  they  had  grievances.  Whilst 
I  approved  of  laws  for  the  suppression  of  evil,  yet  it 
would  never  be  effectually  done  until  individuals  gave 
place  to  the  convictions  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  for  it  was  only 
by  the  light  and  power  of  Christianity  that  evil  could  be 
abolished.  I  spoke  also  of  the  importance  of  secret  sup- 
plication to  overcome  evil.  After  expressing  myself 
there,  I  went  into  the  lower  room,  and  when  Edwin  P. 
Sellew  finished  speaking,  I  addressed  the  company,  after 
which  the  superintendent  of  the  Industrial  Home,  in 
connection  with  the  association,  delivered  an  address  that 
was  attended  with  a  good  feeling.  Charles  Rhoads  and 
William  U.  Ditzler  also  had  service  in  the  upper  room. 

Second  month  20.  A  stranger  came  to  me  after  meet- 
ing, saying  he  wanted  to  speak  with  me  and  go  to  my 


Age  66      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE         349 

house,  if  agreeable.  He  said  he  had  driven  around  with 
my  father  and  WilHam  Evans  a  week,  when  they  were 
in  Canada,  and  that  they  had  lodged  at  his  father's 
several  nights.  His  father's  name  was  Judah  Bowerman. 
I  gave  him  the  account  of  father's  travels  in  Canada  to 
read  after  dinner,  in  which  he  was  much  interested,  and 
called  my  attention  to  a  name  mentioned  in  one  of  my 
father's  letters,  saying  he  knew  of  that  man,  and  told 
of  his  having  a  very  fine  pair  of  horses,  about  the  finest 
in  that  part  of  the  country,  and  a  hired  man  was  sent 
with  them  on  an  errand.  A  little  son  of  the  owner  begged 
to  go  and  was  allowed.  On  the  way  the  boy  was  encour- 
aged to  get  out  to  look  after  some  squirrels,  when  he 
was  shot,  and  the  man  drove  off  with  the  horses.  The 
mother  of  the  boy  dreamed  he  had  been  shot  and  saw 
the  place  in  her  dream,  and  there  the  body  of  the  boy 
was  found.    The  man  was  pursued  and  executed. 

Judah  Bowerman  had  a  heavy  load  on  his  mind,  with 
two  carloads  of  prunes — twenty  tons — to  dispose  of, 
which  he  had  brought  from  Oregon.  Son  William  kindly 
helped  him  by  finding  a  party  willing  to  make  an  advance 
of  three  and  one-half  cents  a  pound,  and  pay  the  freight 
and  sell  the  prunes  on  commission.  J.  Bowerman  stayed 
over  night  with  us,  and  after  making  arrangements  about 
the  prunes  started  for  home. 

Third  month  i.  A  considerable  number  of  strangers 
coming  late  into  our  afternoon  meeting,  my  mind  was 
turned    particularly   towards    them,    and    I    commenced 


350  JOSEPH   S.   EIvKINTON  i896 

speaking  with  the  words:  "It  was  with  a  deeper  feeling 
than  was  generally  implied  in  the  word  welcome;  that 
we  rejoiced  when  those  we  were  not  acquainted  with 
inclined  to  meet  with  us.''  We  were  thankful  we  had  a 
place  that,  in  the  religious  liberty  now  allowed,  we  could 
assemble  together,  where  it  might  be  said  prayer  was 
wont  to  be  made,  and  where  we  came  to  present  our- 
selves before  the  Most  High  and  to  wait  on  Him  for  the 
renewal  of  strength  and  Divine  counsel.  My  tongue  was 
loosened  on  this  occasion  to  speak  of  some  of  our  dis- 
tinguishing principles.  A  heavenly  peace  prevailed  when 
the  spirit  of  revenge  was  taken  out  of  the  human  heart. 
Also  that  the  offerings  which  were  acceptable  to  the 
Lord  were  those  made  in  brokenness  and  contrition  of 
spirit,  and  the  Lord  would  show  what  was  to  be  given 
up  and  what  was  to  be  performed  by  the  aid  of  his  Spirit. 
We  should  also  be  given  to  know  that  the  baptism  which 
is  saving  is  the  answer  of  a  good  conscience  toward  God 
by  the  resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ. 

To  the  Board  of  Public  Education  for  the  First  School  District 
of  Pennsylvania. 

We  would  respectfully  represent  that  as  a  Committee  of  the 
Religious  Society  of  Friends  of  Philadelphia  and  parts  adjacent, 
we  feel  called  earnestly  to  protest  against  the  proposition  now 
pending  before  your  board,  whereby  it  is  designed  to  introduce 
a  system  of  military  drill  in  the  high  schools  of  this  city. 

The  chief  considerations  leading  us  to  this  course  are  so 
clearly  set  forth  in  a  memorial  of  the  representatives  above  re- 
ferred to,  addressed  to  the  Legislature  of  Pennsylvania,  that  we 


Age  66      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE         351 

would  refer  to  a  copy  of  it  herewith  presented.  We  trust  this 
may  receive  your  very  careful  consideration  before  final  action 
shall  be  taken  on  the  resolution. 

On  behalf  of  the  above  committee, 

Samuel  Morris, 
Joseph  S.  Elkinton 

Phladelphia,  Sixth  month  5,  1896. 

A  Memorial  of  the  Representatives  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  and 
Parts  Adjacent: 

To   the  Senate  and  House   of  Representatives   of   the  State  of 
Pennsylvania. 

Your  memorialists  respectfully  represent  that  we  have  learned, 
with  sorrow  and  anxiety,  that  a  bill  is  now  before  the  Legislature 
for  the  introduction  of  a  military  drill  into  the  public  school 
system  of  Pennsylvania;  and  against  this  innovation  we  feel 
bound  respectfully  but  earnestly  to  protest. 

First:  Because  we  believe  that  all  the  advantages  as  regards 
physical  development  and  habits  of  obedience  claimed  for  such 
training  may  be  attained  by  other  and  better  methods. 

Second:  Because  the  natural  tendency  of  the  proposed  drill 
will  be  to  impress  the  minds  of  growing  boys  with  an  admiration 
for  the  profession  of  arms  and  martial  display,  which  already 
needs  no  stimulus. 

Third:  Because  its  introduction  into  educational  institutions 
would  foster  the  false  view  which  regards  the  rendering  of  mili- 
tary service  as  the  highest  test  of  patriotism.  Such  a  sentiment 
tends  to  undervalue  the  services  of  those  in  the  peaceful  walks  of 
life,  whose  love  for  their  fellow-men  is  continually  proven  by 
acts  of  self-sacrifice  for  the  good  of  others  and  devotion  to  the 
best  interests  of  their  country. 

Fourth:  We  hold  that  the  true  policy  of  republican  institu- 
tions is  eminently  peaceful,  and  therefore  adverse  to  warfare  or 
the  preparation  for  it.  The  real  strength  of  our  country  consists, 
not  in  its  readiness  for  meeting  all  possible  contingencies  by 
armed  resistance,  but  in  the  intelligence,  the  virtue,  the  moral 
courage,  and  the  God-fearing  character  of  its  people.  It  is  by 
reason  of  the  extent  and  completeness  of  the  military  systems  of 
Europe  that  her  peoples  are  to-day  groaning  under  many  and 


352  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  iS96 

grievous  burdens.  We  deem  it  therefore  most  unwise  for  our 
own  favored  nation,  in  a  time  of  profound  peace,  to  enter  upon  a 
course  that  must  lead  us  in  the  same  direction,  and  invite  the  very 
dangers  which  large  armaments  and  navies  are  supposed  to 
provide  against. 

Fifth:  Upon  the  coming  of  our  blessed  Saviour,  a  new  dis- 
pensation to  mankind  was  ushered  in,  with  the  angelic  anthem, 
"Glory  to  God  in  the  highest  and  on  earth  peace,  good  will 
toward  men,"  and  ages  before  it  had  been  foretold  by  a  prophet 
of  the  Most  High  that  there  would  come  a  time  when  "men  shall 
learn  war  no  more."  This  happy  period  will  be  hastened  or  re- 
tarded by  an  acceptance  or  rejection,  by  nations  as  well  as  by  in- 
dividuals, of  the  practical  teachings  of  the  Gospel.  The  Com- 
monwealth of  Pennsylvania  was  founded  in  the  faith  that  a 
Christian  government  can  be  administered  on  Christian  principles, 
and  it  was  successfully  and  safely  carried  on  without  a  military 
organization,  or  the  resort  to  military  force  for  more  than  seventy 
years.  If  the  peaceable  spirit  which  then  pervaded  the  com- 
munity were  once  more  to  prevail,  there  would  be  but  little  dispo- 
sition to  favor  such  a  measure  as  that  now  designed  to  be  in- 
grafted on  the  laws  of  the  state. 

Sixth:  We  believe  one  inevitable  result  of  the  proposed  in- 
struction in  military  tactics  would  be  a  connection  more  or  less 
direct  and  permanent  between  the  War  Department  of  the  Gov- 
ernment and  secular  education  as  at  present  carried  on  by  the 
state  schools.  These  in  our  judgment  should  be  preserved  en- 
tirely distinct. 

Seventh:  The  public  school  system  of  Pennsylvania  is  an  out- 
growth of  the  long  experience  and  careful  consideration  of  some 
of  our  best  educators,  and  many  of  them  are  unfavorable  to  the 
introduction  of  the  proposed  drill  as  seriously  interfering  with 
the  present  complete  course  of  instruction. 

Again,  the  maintenance  of  the  schools  is  dependent  upon  taxes 
paid  by  the  people  of  the  state,  all  of  whom  are  equally  entitled 
to  the  benefits  arising  from  them.  But  many  of  these  patrons 
could  not,  consistently  with  their  religious  convictions,  send  their 
children  to  schools  where  military  training  is  a  part  of  the  cur- 
riculum, nor  could  others,  for  a  like  reason,  take  positions  as 
directors  or  teachers  of  schools. 


Age  66      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  353 

We,  therefore,  can  but  regard  the  purposes  of  the  bill  in  ques- 
tion as  inimical  to  the  best  interests  of  the  state,  unjust  to  a  large 
number  of  its  worth}-  citizens,  and  an  infringement  of  the  rights 
of  conscience,  so  dear  to  the  people  of  this  Commonwealth.  We 
trust  that  for  these  and  other  reasons  it  may  not  receive  the 
sanction  of  the  Legislature. 

By  direction  and  on  behalf  of  a  meeting  of  the  representatives 
aforesaid,  held  in  Philadelphia,  Third  month  22,  1895. 

Joseph  Walton,  Clerk. 

Sixth  month  J.  Went  to  the  office  of  the  Board  of 
Education  with  a  protest  that  was  signed  by  Samuel 
Morris  and  myself,  on  behalf  of  a  Committee  of  the 
Representatives  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  that  was 
drawn  up  with  the  authorty  of  the  committee  last  Sixth- 
day,  which  is  as  follows : 

Sixth  month  7.  The  work  of  visiting  the  Board  of 
Education  individually  has  been  an  exercising  one,  but  I 
have  my  reward  in  the  endeavor  to  promote  the  cause  of 
peace  and  righteousness,  and  I  trust  not  in  my  own  will. 

Sixth  month  /j.  Jonathan  E.  Rhoads  and  Ephraim 
Smth  arrived  at  their  respective  homes  early  this  morn- 
ing. I  went  to  Ephraim  Smith's  immediately  after  break- 
fast and  enjoyed  the  sight  of  him.  He  looked  well,  and 
reported  Jonathan  E.  Rhoads  the  same. 

Seventh  month  25.  The  last  two  days  have  been  pretty 
steadily  engaged  in  preparing  for  the  mail  the  Address 
lately  adopted  in  regard  to  the  attitude  of  the  professing 
Christian  church  on  the  subject  of  war.  About  34,000 
have  been  mailed  thus  far  to  the  ministers  of  other  de- 
nominations, and  some  of  the  acknowledgments  received 


354  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i896 

give  evidence  of  acceptance  and  a  willingness  to  assist 
in  the  distribution  thereof. 

Eighth  month  26.  Attended  Malvern  meeting  yester- 
day, where  I  had  an  offering  to  make,  in  the  course  of 
which  I  said:  "There  is  no  other  name  under  Heaven 
whereby  we  can  be  saved  but  by  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ 
of  Nazareth."  It  is  true  that  it  is  by  revelation  that  we 
are  to  know  Him  aright  and  through  Divine  openings 
that  we  can  have  a  right  insight  into  the  glorious  dis- 
pensation opened  to  us  through  what  He  did  for  us. 

Any  ignoring  of  these  fundamentals  of  the  Christian 
religion  tends  to  a  spiritual  deadness  and  very  averse  to 
having  our  lives  hidden  with  Christ  in  God.  God  must 
be  our  all  in  all.  Christ  is  to  be  worshipped  with  the 
Father.  He  is  to  be  our  Leader  and  Commander,  and 
they  who  are  to  stand  without  fault  in  the  great  day  of 
account  are  they  who  follow  Him  withersoever  He  is 
pleased  to  lead  them.  It  is  a  precious  privilege  when  at 
times  our  knees  are  ready  to  smite  together  for  weakness 
and  we  can  scarce  do  more  than  lift  up  our  eyes,  and 
say  "God  be  merciful,"  and  when  permitted  to  mingle 
with  our  friends,  or  at  times  when  alone,  that  we  are 
favored  with  true  retirement  and  our  thoughts  are  upon 
heavenly  things.  To  the  natural  mind  such  openings  may 
seem  simply  imaginations,  for  eye  hath  not  seen  nor  ear 
heard,  neither  hath  it  entered  into  the  heart  of  man  to 
know  those  things  which  He  hath  in  store  for  thdse  who 
love  Him. 


Age  66     DIARY   AND    CORRESPONDENCE         355 

Eighth  month  2j.  At  a  special  meeting  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  the  Address  regarding  the  attitude  of  Christian 
professors  on  the  subject  of  war,  statements  were  given 
concerning  the  distribution  of  50,000  copies,  and  it  was 
evident  that  50,000  more  would  be  required  to  cover  the 
ground  undertaken,  as  there  were  at  least  40,000  more 
in  the  station  of  ministers  who  had  not  yet  been  furnished 
with  copies,  and  it  was  proposed  to  send  some  to  students 
in  the  colleges. 

Ninth  month  2.  I  was  cheered  by  the  sight  of  my 
Malinda  this  morning,  she  having  come  in  from  Malvern, 
and  looking  the  better  for  her  visit.  I  feel  it  to  be  a 
cause  of  thankfulness  to  be  thus  gathered  back  to  our 
homes. 

Ninth  month  j.  Forty  years  to-day  since  my  Malinda 
and  I  were  married,  in  the  course  of  which  time  we  have 
had  considerable  experience.  On  looking  over  the  signers 
of  our  marriage  certificate,  about  one-half  of  them  have 
passed  on  to  their  everlasting  reward.  We  have  been 
allowed  to  be  longer  together  than  the  average  of  married 
couples,  and  have  had  our  mercies.  May  the  protecting 
care  of  our  Heavenly  Father  be  continued. 

Tenth  month  lo.  Called  on  a  man  who  had  made  con- 
siderable research  in  Indian  history,  and  he  told  me  of 
an  incident  of  a  tribe  of  Indians  in  the  west,  who,  hearing 
that  the  white  men,  east,  had  a  great  book  that  told  of 
the  works  of  the  Great  Spirit,  and  the  way  to  be  happy 
with  Him  after  leaving  this  world,  they  deputed  four  of 


356  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i896 

their  old  men  to  go  east  and  get  that  book.  They  pro- 
ceeded as  far  as  St.  Louis  and  asked  for  the  book,  as 
they  were  instructed  to  get  it.  They  appHed  to  some  of 
the  officials  who,  being  Roman  Catholics,  put  them  off. 
They  waited  considerable  time  and  two  of  their  number 
died  and  were  buried.  The  commander  of  the  fort,  or 
chief  officer  of  the  place,  made  them  some  presents,  and 
when  they  were  about  to  send  the  two  remaining  ones 
of  the  deputation  off  to  the  home  of  their  tribe,  one  of 
them  let  it  be  known  he  was  not  quite  prepared  to  go  until 
he  should  be  allowed  to  speak.  The  following  is  the 
address  on  behalf  of  the  Flat  Head  Indians  to  General 
Clark  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. : 

'T  came  to  you  over  a  trail  of  many  moons  from  the 
Setting  Sun.  You  were  the  friend  of  my  fathers  who 
have  all  gone  the  long  way.  I  came  with  one  eye  partly 
opened  for  more  light  for  my  people  who  sit  in  darkness. 
I  go  back  with  both  eyes  closed ;  how  can  I  go  back  blind 
to  my  people  ?  I  made  my  way  to  you  with  strong  arms, 
through  many  enemies  and  strange  lands,  that  I  might 
carry  back  much  to  them.  I  go  back  with  both  arms 
broken  and  empty.  The  two  fathers  who  came  with  us, 
the  braves  of  many  winters  and  wars,  we  leave  asleep 
here  by  your  great  water  and  wigwam.  My  people  sent 
to  get  the  white  man's  Book  of  Heaven.  You  took  me 
where  you  allow  your  women  to  dance,  as  we  do  not 
ours,  and  the  Book  was  not  there.  You  took  me  where 
they  worship  the  Great  Spirit  with  candles  and  the  Book 


Age  66      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE         357 

was  not  there.  You  showed  me  the  images  of  good  spirits 
and  pictures  of  the  good  land  beyond,  but  the  Book  was 
not  among  them  to  tell  the  way.  I  am  going  back  the  long 
sad  trail  to  my  people  in  the  dark  land.  You  make  my 
feet  heavy  Avith  the  burden  of  gifts,  and  my  moccasins 
will  grow  old  in  carrying  them,  but  the  Book  is  not 
among  them.  When  I  will  tell  my  people  after  one  more 
snow  in  the  big  council  that  I  did  not  bring  the  Book,  no 
word  will  be  spoken  by  our  old  men,  nor  by  our  young 
braves.  One  by  one  they  will  rise  up  and  go  out  in 
silence.  My  people  will  die  in  darkness  and  they  will 
go  in  the  long  path  to  the  other  hunting  grounds.  No 
white  man  will  go  with  them  and  no  white  man's  Book 
will  make  the  way  plain.    I  have  no  more  words." 

The  government  clerk  who  wrote  down  this  speech  was 
met  some  time  afterward  by  a  man  who  had  heard  the 
story,  but  said  he  did  not  believe  it,  as  he  had  traveled 
some  distance  in  company  with  the  two  surviving  Indians 
referred  to,  and  they  did  not  say  anything  about  it.  The 
government  clerk  said  it  was  true,  and  he  had  the  record 
with  him,  which  he  drew  out  of  his  pocket.  This  so 
affected  the  man  that  was  inclined  to  doubt  it  that  he 
said  it  ought  to  be  given  to  the  world,  and  the  account 
of  it  reaching  Massachusetts,  it  is  said,  was  the  occasion 
of  missionaries  being  sent  into  the  northwest. 

Tenth  month  2p.  In  our  Monthly  fleeting  I  felt  a 
concern  that  had  been  more  or  less  on  my  mind  come 
into  such  a  shape  that  I  could  lay  it  definitely  before  the 


358  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1896 

meeting.  The  prospect  was  to  appoint  meetings  for 
Divine  worship  among  the  inhabitants  of  Chester  and 
Lancaster  counties,  more  particularly  on  the  line  of  the 
railroads ;  also  to  visit  some  of  the  public  institutions, 
and  my  mind  was  also  turned  towards  one  or  more  insti- 
tutions of  learning.  The  meeting  was  united  in  liberating 
me  for  the  servace. 

Taken  from  the  Peace  Maker  and  Court  of  Arbitration, 
Eighth  month,  1896 : 

Relating  to  a  meeting  that  was  held  under  the  auspices  of  the 
Universal  Peace  Union,  when  Hodgson  Pratt,  of  London,  Eng- 
land, gave  an  address  which  was  well  received.  Several  others 
also  spoke,  among  whom  was  Joseph  S.  Elkinton,  of  Philadel- 
phia, who  arose  and  said  that  as  slavery  and  lotteries  have  given 
away  before  the  Light  of  Christianity,  so  must  the  evils  of  intem- 
perance and  war  be  banished  in  the  fullness  of  time,  not  ours  to 
say  when.  He  adverted  to  Hodgson  Pratt's  statement  of  the 
unwillingness  of  some  to  receive  the  doctrine  of  Divine  revela- 
tion, and  asserted  his  faith  that  it  is  the  office  of  our  Lord  and 
Saviour  Jesus  Christ  to  bring  man  into  the  state  into  which  he 
was  created,  to  a  communion  with  his  Maker;  that  bodies  coming 
together  for  righteous  judgment  upon  the  affairs  of  the  nations 
w^ere  not  to  depend  so  much  upon  intellectual  powers  as  upon 
Heavenly  Wisdom,  Divine  Guidance.  He  was  very  glad  to  hear 
of  that  network  Hodgson  Pratt  had  mentioned  spreading  over 
Europe  in  the  interest  of  peace,  and  if  they  are  constrained  to  a 
righteous  judgment,  unquestionably  it  will  be  a  blessing  to  the 
people  at  large. 

Tenth  month  50.  Went  to  Wilmington  and  attended 
meeting.  In  conversing  with  Jonathan  E.  Rhoads  I 
found  that  he  had  spoken  to  a  Friend  about  his  mind 
being  turned  towards  holding  meetings  in  Lancaster  and 
York  counties.     Of  this  I  had  no  foreknowledge,  and  it 


Age  66      DIARY  AND   CORRESPONDENCE  359 

was  both  congenial  and  confirming  to  me  that  we  might 
work  together.  J.  E.  R.  expects  to  lay  the  matter  before 
his  next  Monthly  Meeting. 

Eleventh  month  ii.  Went  to  West  Chester,  where  I 
obtained  permission  to  have  a  religious  opportunity  at 
the  Normal  school  to-morrow  morning  at  8.30,  and  at 
the  jail  from  10  to  11  o'clock.  Jonathan  E.  Rhoads 
joined  me,  and  we  went  this  evening  to  our  meeting, 
previously  appointed  at  the  Tattersal  building.  About  five 
hundred  people  were  in  attendance.  Some  very  plain  doc- 
trine was  put  forth  in  regard  to  the  divinity  and  exalta- 
tion of  the  kingdom  of  Christ.  As  we  walked  home  from 
the  meeting  with  William  P.  Townsend,  J.  E.  R.  said  to 
him:  "When  Joseph  speaks  first,  he  puts  forth  the 
thoughts  of  my  mind,"  which,  Joseph  hearing,  replied : 
"And  then  Jonathan,  after  the  points  have  been  stated, 
develops  them  before  the  people  and  tells  them  what  full- 
ness there  is  in  them." 

Eleventh  month  12.  We  had  a  precious  meeting  at 
the  Normal  school  and  an  engagement  at  the  county 
poorhouse  at  2  P.  M. 

Eleventh  month  22.  A  letter  received  from  my  dear 
wife  expressed  the  trust  that  the  "Will  of  the  Master 
may  be  prospered  in  the  labor  of  love  He  designed  in 
this  service." 

Eleventh  month  2^.  Arrived  at  Colora,  and  the  loca- 
tion of  the  meeting  to  be  held  this  afternoon  is  about 
seven  miles   from  here,  which  I  understand  to  be  the 


360  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  is97 

neighborhood  and  meeting  place  where  John  Churchman 
belonged  in  his  day,  in  Pennsylvania,  near  the  state  line. 
The  bricks  of  the  larger  part  of  the  houses  were  brought 
from  England,  and  are  rather  larger  than  the  usual  size 
and  in  a  much  better  state  of  preservation  than  some  we 
see  in  the  old  walls  of  houses ;  a  part  of  the  house,  how- 
ever, is  built  of  stone.  The  whole  was  capable  of  seating 
a  large  Quarterly  Meeting. 

First  month  5,  i8py.  Attended  the  funeral  of  William 
U.  Ditzler,  which  was  a  large  one.  \Mlliam  U.  Ditzler 
had  the  love  of  the  people,  and  it  was  manifested  by  the 
representatives  of  character  in  our  Society  and  others. 
The  Mayor  of  our  city  was  present,  as  also  the  Roman 
Catholic  archbishop,  or  his  representative,  who  said 
\\*illiam  U.  Ditzler  was  a  good  man,  and  that  the  world 
had  need  of  such  men. 

First  month  10.  Upon  my  arrival  at  home  this  evening, 
after  having  attended  the  appointed  meeting  at  Bird-in- 
Hand,  I  found  Alary  Holgate*  very  weak  and  in  suffer- 
ing, and  it  seemed  as  if  her  end  might  be  near. 

First  month  25.  Mary  Holgate,  having  rallied  again, 
I  went  this  morning  to  Mount  Joy  to  look  after  a  few 
appointments  that  had  been  made  and  see  if  I  might  get 
one  postponed,  but  on  my  return  in  the  afternoon  found 
that  Mary  Holgate  had  passed  away  about  noon,  which 
has  ended  the  life  of  one  who  has  left  a  good  record,  and 


*Mary  Holgate  was  for  years  an  acceptable  member  of  the 
family. 


Age  67      DIARY  AND   CORRESPONDENCE  361 

no  doubt  has  now  entered  into  the  rest  prepared  for  the 
people  of  God. 

First  month  28.  The  funeral  gathered  to-day  at 
Orange  Street  Meeting  House  at  2  o'clock,  there  not 
being  quite  so  large  an  attendance  as  would  have  been 
on  account  of  the  severity  of  the  weather.  I  could  not 
go  to  the  graveyard  and  get  to  Lancaster  in  time  for  the 
appointed  meeting,  which  had  been  widely  advertised  to 
be  held  in  the  court  house,  and  which  I  could  hardly 
recall,  so  I  proceeded  to  Lancaster,  where  I  arrived  in 
due  season,  and  I  do  not  remember  a  time  when  I  was 
more  supported  in  the  service. 

First  month  2Q.  When  I  arrived  home  to-day  a  tele- 
gram awaited  me,  informing  us  of  the  death  of  our  aunt, 
Anna  M.  Edgerton.  She  was  the  widow  of  my  wife's 
great  uncle,  Joseph  Edgerton,  and  she  was  a  lovely, 
sweet-spirited  character. 

Second  month  6.  Went  to  Harrisburg,  where  I  en- 
gaged a  cab,  and  told  the  driver  to  take  me  to  the  Mes- 
siah Benevolent  Home  to  see  Henry  Davidson.  "To  the 
bishop's  you  mean,"  said  he.  "Yes,"  I  said,  "to  Bishop 
Henry  Davidson's."  So  ofif  we  went  and  came  to  a  stop 
in  front  of  a  sizable  building  on  top  of  a  hill.  I  had 
been  told  the  "home"  was  on  top  of  the  hill,  but  did  not 
expect  to  see  such  an  institution  as  that,  but  up  the  steps 
I  went  and  rang  the  bell,  which  a  pleasant-looking  woman 
finally  answered.  I  asked  for  Henry  Davidson.  She 
said:    "Do  you  wish  to  see  the  bishop?"     "Yes,"  said  L 


362  JOSEPH  S.   ELKINTON  is97 

I  was  then  shown  into  the  reception  room.  Oh !  me ! 
thought  I,  have  the  bishops  of  the  River  Brethren  come 
to  all  this  imagery.  What  is  coming  next  ?  But  in  comes 
a  pretty  neat-looking  white-haired  man,  with  a  cape  all 
embroidered  and  a  gold  chain  around  his  neck,  with  a 
gold  cross  in  front.  I  said,  "Is  this  Henry  Davidson, 
bishop  of  the  River  Brethren?"  "My  dear  sir,''  said  he, 
"I  am  the  Roman  Catholic  bishop."  I  then  said,  "Please 
allow  me  to  read  in  my  notebook  the  address,  or  tell  me 
how  to  find  the  Messiah  Benevolent  Home?"  "Come 
into  the  library,"  said  he,  "and  you  will  have  more  light," 
and  lighted  up  it  was,  and  such  a  library  one  does  not 
often  see.  A  great  chair  was  offered  me,  and  I  sat  down. 
He  alluded  to  the  large  fire  we  had  in  Philadelphia,  and 
I  spoke  of  the  fire  at  the  capitol,  telling  him  that  I  thought 
a  great  deal  went  on  inside  the  capitol  buildings  that  was 
not  for  the  best,  and  I  hoped  the  people  would  take  a 
sober  view  of  the  burning  of  it.  He  told  me  that  $75,000 
had  lately  been  spent  in  decorating,  but  he  felt  the  effect 
of  it  on  the  public  mind  was  disastrous.  He  also  con- 
versed with  me  on  some  other  crying  evils  and  gave  me  a 
pamphlet,  put  out  as  an  answer  to  Robert  Ingersol's 
lecture  on  the  "Mistakes  of  Moses."  I  promised  to  send 
him  the  addresses  put  out  by  our  Quarterly  Meeting  and 
the  Meeting  for  Sufferings.  I  related  to  him  some  of  the 
conversation  I  had  with  Archbishop  Ryan  and  Nicholas 
Cantrell.  He  said  he  was  with  "Father"  Cantrell  some 
thirty  years  ago,  and  I  told  him  that  I  lived  near  him  at 


Age  67      DIARY  AND   CORRESPONDENCE  363 

that  time  on  Second  street.  The  bishop  was  a  model  of 
courtesy,  but  never  told  me  that  the  place  I  wanted  to 
find  was  very  close  to  his  palatial  residence,  so  I  had  to 
ride  back  to  the  depot  and  get  some  one  else  to  show  me, 
as  it  was  too  dark  for  me  to  prospect  alone.  But  I  was 
set  straight  and  reached  my  destination  finally,  and 
receiving  an  invitation  from  Bishop  Davidson  and  his 
wife  to  remain  over  night,  I  accepted.  They  wished  me 
to  advise  them  about  starting  a  benevolent  missionary 
institution  in  Philadelphia.  I  endeavored  to  satisfy  them 
without  committing  myself  to  much  extent.  Their 
daughter  is  a  talented  young  woman,  knows  three  or 
four  languages,  but  has  foreign  missions  much  on  her 
mind.  The  next  morning  we  had  a  religious  opportunity, 
and  they  both  evinced  a  righteous  concern  that  I  might  be 
supported  in  the  work  I  had  been  engaged  in  and  am  still 
prosecuting.  I  was  shown  through  the  house,  and  there 
seems  to  have  been  a  good  work  started  in  it. 

Second  month  i8.  When  in  Marietta  I  was  informed 
of  the  funeral  of  a  young  man,  which  I  felt  best  satisfied 
to  attend.  After  the  funeral,  as  I  was  walking  along 
the  street  a  little  boy  said  to  me,  "What  are  you  doing?" 
I  replied,  "Visiting  the  people,  little  folks  and  big  ones." 
"Why,"  said  he,  "the  people  are  all  dead."  A  pretty 
close  speech,  but  I  suppose  the  boy  was  impressed  with 
what  he  had  heard  and  seen,  and  there  have  been  many 
deaths  in  this  locality  of  late.     At  one  place  near  here  I 


364  JOSEPH   S.  ELKINTON  1597 

was  told  that  father,  mother  and  son  died  within  a  few 
days  of  each  other. 

Second  month  26.  I  gave  my  report  to  the  Monthly 
Meeting  that  I  had  finished  the  service  expressed  in  the 
minute  granted  me  in  the  Tenth  month,  and  had  been 
favored  with  the  company  of  Jonathan  E.  Rhoads  at 
nearly  all  of  the  meetings  attended  in  Chester  county; 
but,  on  entering  Lancaster  county  his  health  gave  way, 
and  it  was  not  thought  wise  for  him  to  proceed.  We 
commenced  at  West  Chester,  holding  a  public  meeting 
there  and  visiting  public  institutions.  We  then  visited 
Lincoln,  Millersville  and  Lititz.  The  visits  were  received 
with  cheerfulness.  We  made  our  homes  at  places  that 
served  as  central  points,  from  which  meetings  could  be 
reached  within  an  hour's  ride,  and  we  met  with  much 
kindness  and  openness.  Elhannan  Zook  was  with  me 
at  some  of  the  meetings.  A  Friend  accompanied  me  to 
the  meeting  at  Lancaster  court  house  and  the  prison,  and 
offered  to  go  further ;  but,  as  I  proceeded  to  western  part 
of  Lancaster  county  there  was  such  fearful  sickness  pre- 
vailing, and  the  death  rate  so  great,  that  I  shrank  from 
asking  any  one  to  share  the  risk. 

There  was  tenderness  manifested  amongst  the  Mora- 
vians, Mennonites,  River  Brethren,  United  Brethren  and 
German  Baptists,  and  the  meetings  were  largely  attended, 
frequently  to  the  capacity  of  their  meeting  houses,  not- 
withstanding the  sickness  prevailing,  which  caused  a  feel- 


Age  67      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  365 

ing  of  seriousness  in  keeping  with  the  gravity  of  the 
situation  of  the  community. 

I  attended  several  funerals,  one  of  which  I  considered 
one  of  the  most  remarkable  occasions  in  my  life.  About 
five  hundred  people  were  in  attendance,  and  I  felt  the 
ministers  were  helped  from  on  high  in  a  remarkable 
manner.  I  considered  the  accommodations  for  prisoners 
at  Lancaster  behind  the  age,  but  they  had  a  moral  in- 
structor or  chaplain,  who  was  adapted  to  the  work,  and 
had  an  influence  for  good  with  the  prisoners.  Tender- 
ness was  manifested  by  those  prisoners  that  I  visited, 
who  had  either  taken  or  attempted  to  take  life.  I  felt 
I  had  cause  to  commemorate  the  goodness  of  the  Lord 
for  the  measure  of  preservation  and  support  given,  and 
was  confirmed  in  the  conviction  that  those  whose  minds 
were  stayed  on  Him  would  be  kept  in  peace,  and  was 
encouraged  to  hope  that  when  years  increased  and  the 
powers  of  mind  and  body  might  fail,  those  with  whom  I 
have  been  associated  through  life  with  myself  might  not 
be  forsaken. 

Third  month  5.  Brother  Thomas  has  not  been  well, 
and  it  is  very  affecting  to  me  to  see  him  so  touched.  We 
have  to  look  pretty  seriously  now  as  to  who  will  have 
charge  of  the  business  in  a  little  while.  Brother  Thomas 
and  Ephraim  and  myself  will  go  off  the  stage  of  life 
pretty  nearly  together.  We  have  had  our  favors  and 
mercies  and,  with  all  our  trials,  have  been  watched  over 
for  good ;  and  I  crave  for  the  continuance  of  the  pre- 


366  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i897 

serving  power  that  we  may  be  favored  with  best  wisdom 
in  our  movements.  We  finally  look  to  our  son  William 
as  the  probable  financier  of  our  firm,  and  he  has  good 
qualifications  for  business,  but  must  be  properly  sup- 
ported or  he  will  not  be  equal  to  the  charge.  Son  Alfred 
is  a  good  mechanic.     Son  Joseph  is  a  good  chemist. 

Third  month  lo.  Had  a  very  satisfactory  interview 
with  brother  Thomas.  He  seems  in  a  tender  and  reason- 
able frame  of  mind,  disposed  to  look  at  things  in  a  sober 
and  thoughtful  light.  I  am  in  great  sympathy  with  my 
son  William  in  the  charge  he  has  to  carry,  but  I  hope 
he  may  be  favored  with  a  measure  of  Heavenly  wisdom 
and  support;  and  as  I  have  said  to  him,  I  have  prayed 
for  the  preservation  of  the  business.  There  are  six 
families  to  be  supported  by  it,  but  we  have  received  our 
favors  of  the  Lord  and  have  encouragement  to  trust  Him. 

Fifth  month  2p.  Last  evening  I  attended  a  meeting  at 
Wrightsville  with  Jonathan  E.  Rhoads,  where  there  was 
a  large  representation  of  young  people,  and  it  seemed 
as  if  the  young  women  and  girls  had  thought  it  was 
decoration  evening — the  roses  and  flowers  that  adorned 
their  hats  would  take  a  woman  to  describe;  such  a  gay- 
looking  assembly  I  have  hardly  seen  equalled.  After  the 
meeting  settled,  our  thoughts  were  turned  more  to  what 
was  under  the  hats  than  to  what  the  hats  were  covered 
with,  and  the  feeling  that  souls  were  precious  possessed 
our  minds.  J.  E.  R.  rose  the  second  time  and  addressed 
the  young  people  in  a  tender  manner,  the  drift  of  his 


Age  67      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  367 

concern  being  that  they  might  not  be  conformed"^to  the 
world  but  transformed  in  the  spirit  of  their  mind.  He 
also  spoke  of  the  offices  of  the  Saviour.  I  also  had  free- 
dom in  expressing  what  I  had  to  offer. 

Fifth  month  50.  A  man  met  me  on  the  street  after 
the  meeting  and  said :  'Have  you  a  book  of  your  ser- 
mons that  you  could  let  me  have?"  "No,"  I  told  him, 
"but  if  he  wanted  a  book  stating  the  principles  of  Truth 
as  held  by  the  Society  of  Friends,  to  which  I  belonged, 
I  would  furnish  him  with  a  copy." 

Sixth  month  2.  Was  informed  that  President  McKin- 
ley  was  to  be  at  the  opening  of  the  Philadelphia  Museum, 
on  Fourth  street,  below  Walnut,  in  the  building  formerly 
occupied  by  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  offices.  I  felt 
quite  disposed  to  avail  myself  of  the  opportunity  to  speak 
to  the  head  officer  of  our  Republic.  I  was  introduced  to 
him  by  Justice  Strawbridge,  and  we  shook  each  other's 
hands  with  a  warmth  of  feeling.  I  said  to  him,  "Thou 
hast  the  prayers  of  many  for  thy  support."  He  re- 
sponded, "Thank  you."  I  added,  "Thou  needs  more  than 
human  help ;  thou  hast  had  of  the  Divine  influence,  and 
it  will  be  continued  to  thee."  He  again  said,  "Thank 
you."  After  the  interview  I  retired  to  another  room  and 
from  a  window  saw  the  President  enter  his  carriage, 
accompanied  by  Mayor  Warwick,  Doctor  Pepper  and 
another.  I  was  afterward  told  that  the  President  said 
to  Justice  Strawbridge  that  I  had  a  good  face  and  he 
appreciated  what  I  said  to  him. 


368  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i897 

Sixth  month  jo.  This  afternoon  I  attended  the  com- 
mencement exercises  of  the  Colored  Institute  at  Asso- 
ciation Hall,  which  was  filled,  about  one  thousand  being 
present.  The  exercises  of  the  graduates  showed  a  great 
deal  of  care  and  thought  in  their  preparation.  After 
one  or  two  had  addressed  the  graduates  I  was  allowed 
to  speak.  I  stated  that  I  was  impressed  with  the  scene 
before  me  and  compared  it  with  what  existed  in  our  city 
years  ago.  It  was  encouraging  to  think  of  the  efforts 
that  had  been  successfully  made  for  the  improvement  of 
their  people,  and  of  the  co-operation  of  these  disposed 
to  take  advantage  of  their  opportunities  in  this  part  of 
the  land,  and  it  was  marv^elous  the  change  that  had  taken 
place,  and  what  wonders  God  had  wrought.  It  was  the 
light  of  Christianity  that  operated  upon  the  heart  of 
William  Penn  and  induced  him  to  give  up  what  he  might 
enjoy  in  "court"  life  to  bear  witness  to  the  offering  on 
Calvary,  putting  man  in  a  capacity  for  salvation  by  co- 
operating with  the  spirit  of  Grace  and  Truth  that  came 
by  Jesus  Christ,  and  to  plant  a  colony  here  where  men 
might  worship  God  according  to  the  dictates  of  their 
own  conscience,  the  benefit  of  which  we  are  enjoying  in 
religious  toleration. 

It  was  the  light  of  Christianity  that  raised  the  question 
in  the  heart  of  Francis  Daniel  Pastorius  as  to  whether 
it  was  right  to  buy  and  sell  humanity;  it  was  the  light  of 
Christianity  upon  the  mind  of  John  Woolman  that  made 
him  such  an  advocate  for  the  freedom  of  the  colored 


Age  67      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  369 

man;  it  was  the  light  of  Christianity  that  had  inckiced 
Anthony  Benezet,  who  could  have  moved  among  princes, 
to  start  a  school  for  the  colored  people  in  this  city  and 
lead  such  a  life  that  a  soldier  said  at  his  grave,  that  he 
would  rather  be  Anthony  Benezet  in  that  coffin  than 
George  Washington  in  all  his  glory.  I  did  not  want  them 
to  think  that  slavery  existed  only  between  the  races ;  it 
had  its  root  in  the  love  of  power  and  was  exerted  in 
different  lands  in  different  ages,  but  through  the  light  of 
Christianity  it  had  largely  been  abolished  in  this  land, 
and  intemperance  and  other  evils  must  give  way  before 
that  light  and  power. 

I  wished  them  to  be  impressed  with  the  importance  of 
being  faithful  to  the  openings  they  might  be  favored  with 
in  early  life  and  to  stand  steadfast  to  their  principles  that 
the  concerns  which  might  arise  in  their  minds  might  be 
signally  blessed  to  generations  after  them.  Our  part  was 
to  serve  our  generation  through  Holy  help  according  to 
the  Divine  will,  that  we  might  be  prepared  to  join  that 
throng  who  could  say  that  the  kingdoms  of  this  world 
were  to  become  the  kingdom  of  our  Lord  and  his  Christ. 

Seventh  month  g.  The  meeting  to-day  at  Arch  Street 
was  a  precious  one.  There  was  a  feeling  of  sweetness 
in  our  gathering  together,  and  the  thoughts  were  in  the 
right  channel,  as  being  in  the  secret  of  the  Lord's  pres- 
ence, or  in  his  holy  hand  and  thinking  upon  his  great 
name.  When  time  came  to  close.  I  do  not  know  that  I 
ever  felt  more  loth  to  break  meeting. 


370  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i897 

Eighth  month  sy.  Having  felt  the  need  of  a  change  or 
a  little  sojourn  in  the  sea  air,  on  the  20th  I  took  a  trip 
to  Conanicut  Island,  where  I  remained  a  few  days,  and 
in  the  meantime  attended  the  meeting  there,  held  in  an 
old  meeting-house,  said  to  be  one  hundred  and  seventy- 
five  years  old,  and  nicely  situated.  There  were  about 
twenty-six  gathered  there  on  this  occasion.  From  Conan- 
icut I  went  to  Providence,  and  made  a  few  visits  in 
Rhode  Island,  and  thence  to  Xew  Bedford,  and  on  to 
Boston,  calling  on  Joseph  and  Gertrude  Cartland  in  New- 
buryport  before  returning  home  on  the  26th. 

Eleventh  month  2^.  We  had  a  large  meeting  at  Arch 
Street,  after  which  we  gathered  at  our  home,  our  three 
sons  and  their  families,  making  sixteen  present  of  the 
name  of  Elkinton. 

The  following  is  from  a  letter  that  I  sent  to  President 
McKinley : 

Phil.\delphia,  Twelfth  month  18,  1897. 
William  McKinley. 

Beloved  President  :  From  many  whose  thoughts  are  turned 
towards  thee  there  are  many  tokens  doubtless  communicated  of 
sympathy  and  affection,  expressive  of  sorrowing  with  thee  in  thy 
sorrow,  with  petitions  for  thy  support  in  affliction,  as  also  for  thy 
support  in  thy  weighty  responsibilities.  With  the  many  whose 
thoughts  are  turned  toward  what  is  passing  at  Canton,  we  will 
trust  it  will  be  in  reverence,  awaiting  the  pleasure  of  our  Heav- 
enly Father  as  to  whether  thy  honored  mother  shall  be  removed 
at  this  time  from  works  to  rewards,  or  whether  she  may  be  con- 
tinued a  little  longer  for  the  perfecting  of  the  Divine  purpose, 
not  only  as  it  may  concern  herself  but  for  the  solemnizing  effect 
upon  the  feelings  of  the  people  at  large.  ...  As  I  have 
watched  thy  course  in  the  last  ten  years  or  more,  I  have  felt  that 


Age  67      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  371 

a  blessing  has  attended  thy  labors,  and  that  in  good  measure 
thou  hast  been  serving  thy  generation  according  to  the  Divine 
will.  May  the  Lord  be  with  thee  the  remainder  of  thy  days. 
No  doubt  if  we  wait  on  the  Lord  for  the  qualification  to  worship 
Him  and  to  discharge  our  responsibilities  aright,  He  will  honor 
us  with  a  sense  of  his  secret  presence  and  enable  us  to  move 
before  Him  and  before  the  people  with  acceptance.  It  has  been 
cordial  to  my  feelings  to  know  of  the  affection  thou  hast  mani- 
fested for  thy  mother  during  thy  public  life,  and  doubtless  it 
was  the  case  in  earher  life.  If  I  am  correctly  informed,  thou 
hast  a  delicate  wife,  which  has  been  my  case  for  over  forty 
years.  She  was  a  native  of  Belmont  county,  Ohio.  I  presume 
we  can  unite  in  the  testimony  that  through  the  years  of  com- 
panionship that,  notwithstanding  the  delicate  frames  of  our  com- 
panions, their  judgment,  as  also  their  affection,  has  been  blessed 
to  us.  May  we  all  be  watched  over  for  good.  I  thought  the 
language  thou  made  use  of  in  thy  proclamation  for  a  day  of 
thanksgiving  gave  evidence  that  it  was  issued  under  a  measure 
of  right  feeling;  the  spirit  of  it  was  good.  My  impression  is, 
that  there  was  more  than  an  usual  degree  of  solemnity  with 
the  gathering  of  the  people  that  day. 

I  have  read  thy  message  to  Congress  with  interest.  I  am 
thankful  for  thy  views  on  arbitration  and,  having  been  inter- 
ested in  the  welfare  of  the  Indians,  as  my  father  before  me,  I 
will  ask  for  their  cause  to  be  kindly  considered. 

Sincerely,      Jcseph  S.  Elkinton. 

Ticclfth  month  21.  Received  a  letter  from  the  private 
secretary  of  the  President,  acknowledging  mine  with 
grateful  thanks,  as  he  expressed  it,  for  the  kindly  sym- 
pathy contained  in  my  letter.  The  mother  of  President 
McKinley  died  on  the  19th,  and  his  letter  to  me  was 
dated  the  20th. 

Twelfth  month  24.  Attended  the  funeral  of  Benjamin 
W.  Passmore,  which  was  a  large  one,  although  the  day 
was  cold  and  windy.    A  satisfactory  solemnity  overspread 


372  JOSEPH   S.    ELKIXTON  i898 

the  company.  I  felt  that  he  was  a  man  in  whom  the 
spirit  of  the  Lord  was,  and  one  who  has  left  a  seal  in 
the  hearts  of  many. 

First  month  j,  i8q8.  Ha\'ing  an  engagement  with 
Jacob  Xaylor,  I  was  requested  to  meet  him  in  the  rooms 
of  the  Union  League,  where  I  had  never  been  before.  I 
also  met  Thomas  Gillespie  there,  who  showed  me  most 
of  the  rooms,  including  the  library,  which  seemed  \ery 
nicely  arranged,  and,  I  trust,  for  good.  I  understood 
J.  N.  to  say  eleven  hundred  people  visited  the  rooms  on 
the  1st  inst.  I  saw  some  men  there  who  were  of  marked 
character,  and  I  trust  they  will  use  their  influence  for 
some  needed  reforms. 

First  month  2/.  In  our  ^Monthly  Meeting  I  stated  that 
I  submitted  for  the  consideration  and  judgment  of  the 
meeting  a  concern  to  visit  in  gospel  love  the  meetings 
composing  Burlington  Quarterly  Meeting;  to  visit  some 
of  the  public  institutions,  and  to  appoint  some  meetings 
for  Divine  worship  at  large,  as  Truth  might  lead  into 
and  support.  The  meeting  was  united  in  liberating  me 
for  the  service. 

Second  month  ij.  Took  train  for  Trenton,  where  I 
met  Barton  Thorn,  who  had  come  to  go  with  me  to  see 
the  Governor  of  New  Jersey,  with  whom  we  had  a  very 
satisfactory  interview,  and  I  was  introduced  to  a  number 
of  state  senators  and  officials  about  the  capitol.  The 
buildings  have  been  fitted  out  with  an  air  of  splendor 
that  I  think  is  more  than  best  for  a  good  example  to  the 


AgeG8     DIARY   AXD    CORRESPONDENCE         373 

citizens.  The  human  mind  is  too  much  inclined  to  luxury. 
As  I  contemplated  holding  public  meetings,  in  company 
with  Jonathan  E.  Rhoads,  in  which  there  would,  in  all 
probability,  be  great  plainness  in  which  the  Truth  might 
be  presented,  especially  on  the  subject  of  war,  I  thought 
it  would  be  better  to  go  to  the  head  officials  and  tell  them 
what  I  had  in  view  in  meeting  with  the  people. 

The  Governor  was  interested  in  reading  my  certificate, 
and  said  if  he  could  help  me  in  any  way  he  was  ready  to 
do  it.  I  was  afterward  told  that,  showing  my  certificate 
in  the  capitol  had  awakened  quite  an  interest  as  being 
something  new;  and  the  Governor  remarked,  after  I 
withdrew,  that  it  did  one  good  to  be  called  upon  by  some 
one  who  did  not  want  an  office.  In  the  course  of  conver- 
sation I  asked  the  Governor  if  he  thought  it  a  proper 
thing  to  ask  for  the  use  of  the  court  houses  for  some  of 
our  meetings,  or  whether  it  would  be  better  to  obtain 
some  other  rooms  or  places,  and  as  he  gave  me  to  under- 
stand that  he  apprehended  the  latter  course  would  be 
preferable,  I  informed  him  that  it  would  be  pursued.  I 
felt  in  my  own  mind  that  as  we  might  speak  on  the  trials 
of  community,  especially  against  war,  that  it  might  be 
better  not  to  use  the  legislative  halls,  which  might  cause 
or  provoke  disturbance. 

Second  month  2^.  Went  by  appointment  to  the  Re- 
formatory at  Jamesburg,,  New  Jersey,  and  on  the  ap- 
proach to  it  I  was  impressed  by  the  beauty  of  the  situa- 
tion and  the  planning  of  the  buildings.     There  are  eight 


374  JOSEPH   S.   KLKINTON  1898 

hundred  acres  of  land  connected  with  the  institution, 
and  the  farms,  with  the  workshops,  afiford  a  field  and 
opportunity  for  the  development  of  the  faculties  in  agri- 
culture, mechanical  arts,  carpentering,  cabinet  work,  car- 
riage building,  blacksmithing,  shoemaking,  brushmaking, 
etc.,  so  much  being  carried  on  until  it  was  marvelous  to 
see  what  could  be  done  by  boys.  There  was  also  a  green- 
house. We  saw  a  boiler  house  and  engineering  room  with 
dynamos,  where  light  and  heat  were  generated  for  the 
whole  range  of  buildings. 

The  students  are  divided  into  classes  of  about  fifty 
each,  for  whose  accommodation  there  is  a  separate 
building,  with  lodging-rooms,  dining-rooms,  schoolroom, 
together  with  rooms  for  the  caretakers  and  their  families. 
The  whole  establishment  is  a  credit  to  the  state,  and  the 
children  in  much  better  condition  than  they  would  be 
running  loose.  When  we  were  gathered  in  the  chapel, 
all  were  seated  in  good  order,  and  Jonathan  E.  Rhoads 
and  I  had  cause  to  be  thankful  for  the  opportunity 
afforded  us  to  express  our  interest  and  concern  for  them. 
They  were  very  attentive,  and  when  the  time  came  to 
close  it  was  not  an  easy  matter  to  do,  as  we  seemed  to 
be  held.  There  was  a  marked  solemnity  under  which 
there  was  an  offering  of  thanksgiving  and  pleading  for 
the  continued  extension  of  Divine  mercy.  The  address 
which  J.  E.  R.  made  to  the  officers  was  a  very  remark- 
able one. 

Third  month  2.    At  the  evening  meeting,  held  at  Bur- 


Age  68      DIARY  AND   CORRESPONDENCE  375 

lington,  N.  J.,  I  spoke  on  the  subject  of  worship,  and 
particularly  on  Christ  within  the  hope  of  glory,  and  the 
reward  or  crown  of  the  righteousness  for  those  who 
really  love  his  appearing.  J.  E.  R.  was  also  engaged  in 
testimony,  in  the  course  of  which  he  said  it  is  a  great 
weakness  in  the  church-at-large  of  professing  Christians 
that  it  does  not  bear  a  more  faithful  testimony  against 
war,  and  it  is  a  disgrace  to  Christianity  to  be  making 
preparations  for  the  destruction  of  the  lives  of  our 
fellow-beings.  I  never  heard  stronger  language  put  forth 
before  the  public ;  there  certainly  was  no  mincing  of 
matters.  I  suppose  if  we  had  lived  one  hundred  years 
ago  we  probably  would  have  been  arrested  for  such  un- 
patriotic expressions  as  some  would  have  considered 
them. 

Elizabeth  C.  Dunn  followed  in  supplication,  in  an 
element  of  sweetness,  the  most  crowning  exercise  I  have 
heard  her  express.  It  had  a  most  salutary  effect.  She 
prayed  that  our  weak  hearts  might  be  strengthened  to 
bear  or  receive  the  Truth ;  that  we  might  be  blessed ;  be 
blessed  with  forgiveness ;  be  blessed  with  preservation. 

Third  month  i6.  While  in  Princeton  I  called  on  ex- 
President  Cleveland,  and  had  an  interesting  interview, 
in  which  I  told  him  that  I  remembered  he  had  given 
other  Friends  who  were  with  me  and  myself  a  very  fair 
hearing  on  an  Indian  matter,  and  whilst  I  wanted  him  to 
know  that  I  appreciated  it,  I  also  wished  to  express  my 
satisfaction  in  an  article  in  the  newspaper  to  the  import 


376  JOSEPH   S.    ELKINTON  i898 

that  he  desired  a  peaceable  settlement  of  the  Cuban  ques- 
tion, and  that  there  should  be  no  war  over  it. 

He  responded  that  instances  of  acknowledgment  or 
recognition  of  what  I  had  first  spoken  of  were  rare.  If 
evidences  of  public  approval  were  specially  looked  for,  it 
would  be  a  thankless  reward ;  it  was  the  sense  of  doing 
right  and  of  doing  good  that  was  the  true  reward,  to 
which  I  replied  that  perseverance  in  the  right  way  was 
likely  to  be  remembered  from  on  high. 

We  conversed  on  Indian  matters  and  then  on  the  pres- 
ent crisis  in  which  he  seemed  alive  to  the  seriousness  of 
the  present  outlook.  He  quoted  General  Sherman,  who 
had  said  to  him,  "I  detest  war;  war  is  hell;  it  is  cruel." 
Cleveland  said  he  would  be  glad  if  the  administration 
could  find  some  way  out  of  the  difficulty,  for  the  occa- 
sions were  exceedingly  rare  that  war  could  not  be 
avoided.  I  expressed  my  desire  that  he  would  continue 
to  exercise  his  influence  on  the  side  of  peace,  and  then 
addressed  him  in  a  religious  manner;  and  we  parted 
kindly,  after  I  told  him  my  mission  and  gave  him  my 
certificate  to  read.  On  my  way  out  I  met  with  the  wife 
and  children  of  Grover  Cleveland,  and  had  a  pleasant 
little  conversation  with  them. 

Third  month  2^.  An  essay  on  the  disturbed  condition 
between  our  government  and  that  of  Spain,  prepared  by 
a  committee  appointed  to  consider  the  subject,  was 
adopted  by  our  Meeting  for  Suflferings  and  referred  back 
to  the  said  committee  to  present  a  copy  to  the  President, 


Age  68      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  377 

his  Cabinet  and  members  of  Congress,  and  for  such 
further  distribution  as  they  might  deem  advisable.  I 
was  pleased  that  the  matter  had  seemed  to  make  its  way 
since  I  first  opened  it  in  a  previous  meeting  to  invite 
consideration.  At  the  close  of  the  meeting  the  committee 
met,  and  it  was  decided  to  have  the  memorial  printed 
forthwith,  and  that  a  delegation  should  proceed  with  it 
to  Washington  next  morning.  Charles  Rhoads,  Samuel 
Morris  and  myself  were  appointed  to  the  service. 

At  Washington,  after  some  detention,  we  were  shown 
into  the  President's  private  room,  where  there  were 
probably  fifty  people.  Our  cards  had  been  sent  up  to 
the  President  previously.  After  a  Httle  we  were  shown 
into  the  Cabinet  room,  where  we  were  taken  by  the  hand, 
and  the  President  said  he  recognized  me  and  had  me  sit 
beside  him  and  C.  R.  and  S.  AI.  close  by.  As  the 
memorial  was  handed  him,  his  eye  caught  the  concluding 
paragraph  in  reference  to  the  desire  that  pacific  counsel 
should  prevail.  He  said  that  was  what  he  desired  and 
hoped  for,  and  that  his  application  for  assistance  in 
feeding  the  suffering  and  starving  people  in  Cuba  had 
not  been  responded  to  as  he  had  hoped,  although  more 
was  now  coming  in. 

When  he  alluded  to  the  desire  for  pacific  counsel  to 
prevail,  I  told  him  that  he  would  have  the  sober  part  of 
community  with  him  in  that  course,  and  spoke  of  the 
many  petitions  being  in  that  direction,  to  which  he  made 
a  kindly  response. 


378  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1898 

Charles  Rhoads  and  Samuel  ^Morris  also  had  somewhat 
to  offer  in  a  serious  manner.  We  could  hardly  have 
asked  for  greater  favors  than  were  aft'orded  us  in  our 
interview.  When  we  withdrew  the  private  secretary 
came  out  and  congratulated  us  by  saying  we  had  made 
out  well  in  that  interview,  and  he  was  pleased  to  witness 
what  passed.  We  thanked  him  for  the  service  he  had 
rendered  us.  We  then  visited  the  offices  of  the  Attorney 
General  and  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  but  they  were  both 
out.  At  the  office  of  the  Secretary  of  State  we  had  a 
very  interesting  interview,  and  he  entered  into  the  subject 
of  the  horrors  of  war  in  a  very  open  manner  and  said 
they  were  doing  what  they  could  to  avert  it. 

We  again  went  to  see  the  Attorney  General,  who  was 
just  going  to  the  White  House,  but  halted  and  gave  us  a 
brief  interview.  He  also  said  they  were  trying  to  have 
things  settled  peacefully  if  it  could  be  done  consistent 
with  the  nation's  honor.  Called  at  the  office  of  Secretary 
of  Xavy,  and  he  sent  word  that  he  was  sorry  he  could 
not  see  us,  as  he  was  due  at  the  White  House,  and  had 
to  leave.  We  supposed  there  was  some  consultation 
going  on  w4th  the  President.  The  Secretary  of  War  was 
out  of  town. 

Third  month  28.  To-day's  '"Ledger"  gives  quite  an 
account  of  our  visit  to  the  President,  and,  aside  from  a 
few  errors,  it  is  a  pretty  good  one,  and  it  contains  the 
pith  of  the  memorial,  which,  I  trust,  will  set  other  denom- 
inations to  thinking  what  their  duty  may  be  in  the  line  of 


Age  68      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE         379 

bearing  a  testimony  to  the  peaceable  nature  of  the  Re- 
deemer's Kingdom. 

Fourth  month  26.  In  pursuing  my  religious  work  I 
visited  the  prison  at  New  Brunswick,  the  sheriff  arriving 
soon  after  I  did;  and,  on  going  into  the  corridor,  he 
called  out  to  the  prisoners  that  they  might  all  come  out 
of  their  cells  into  the  corridor,  for  there  was  a  visitor 
who  had  come  to  speak  to  them.  One  man  called  out, 
"Is  he  a  good  talker?"  The  sheriff  responded  that  it 
might  be  supposed  so,  as  the  visitor  had  been  in  such 
places  before.  The  sheriff'  let  me  have  it  all  to  myself, 
locked  in  the  corridor  with  the  prisoners  all  loose,  but 
that  did  not  disconcert  me,  and  we  had  a  satisfactory 
religious  opportunity,  and  I  was  told  I  might  come  and 
visit  them  whenever  I  felt  like  it. 

Sixth  month  25.  In  our  Monthly  Meeting  I  returned 
my  minute  granted  me  in  the  First  month,  and  made  my 
report  in  joint  session  as  follows:  Having  been  merci- 
fully sustained  throughout  the  engagement  undertaken, 
I  had  been  enabled  to  complete  it  to  the  relief  and  peace 
of  my  mind.  In  the  greater  part  of  the  service  I  was 
associated  with  Jonathan  E.  Rhoads,  which  I  considered 
a  special  favor,  because  of  the  acceptance  with  which  he 
had  been  enabled  to  set  forth  the  principles  of  Truth 
before  the  people,  and  his  capacity  to  enter  into  feeling 
with  those  in  confinement  and  solitary  places.  In  the 
latter  class  we  found  some  whom  we  believed  were  near 
the  kingdom  and  in  a  capacity  to  plead  for  the  peace  of 


380  JOSEPH   S.   EIvKINTON  i898 

Jerusalem.  The  meetings  of  Burlington  Quarterly  Meet- 
ing had  been  visited,  some  of  them  more  than  once ;  and 
nearly  all  the  prisons  and  almshouses  in  ten  of  the  coun- 
ties of  New  Jersey,  and  a  number  of  hospitals,  religious 
opportunities  having  been  allowed  either  in  the  chapels, 
assembly  rooms,  corridors,  or  from  cell  to  cell,  or  from 
bed  to  bed. 

Lest  the  nature  of  the  visit  might  be  misunderstood 
and  what  might  be  ofifered  in  public  meetings  be  mis- 
represented to  those  in  authority,  it  was  thought  advisable 
to  have  interviews  with  public  men.  There  were  several 
intervievv's  with  the  Governor  of  New  Jersey,  as  also 
with  the  ex-President  Cleveland  and  with  sheriffs  of  the 
counties.  Public  meetings  had  been  held  at  principal 
points  along  the  leading  railroads,  and  there  were  no 
opportunities  denied  us  where  applications  for  such  were 
made. 

A  precious  meeting  was  held  in  one  place  where  that 
day  one  thousand  men  started  off  for  war,  and  there 
were  fifty  thousand  spectators,  yet  it  was  evident  there 
were  those  who  were  disposed  to  gather  into  the  quiet 
habitation.  I  doubt  if  there  has  ever  been  in  our  memory 
more  of  those,  not  only  in  the  station  of  ministers  and 
those  in  authority,  but  of  the  sober,  thoughtful  class  of 
the  community,  who  secretly  believed  that  the  honor  of 
the  nation  was  not  to  be  promoted  by  force. 

J.  E.  Rhoads  supplemented  my  report  by  saying  that 
on  his  errand  he  felt  it  to  be  an  illustration  of  the  benefit 


Age  68      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  381 

of  our  order  and  manner  of  proceeding  with  religious 
concerns,  and  that  this  had  been  prosecuted  on  right 
grounds. 

The  report  was  accepted  as  being  satisfactory.  Before 
the  meetings  separated  I  offered  a  petition  that  we  might ' 
be  cared  for  in  this  our  day  and  generation ;  to  be  favored 
to  know  and  keep  our  places,  and  whilst  not  overstretch- 
ing our  stature,  yet  not  to  shrink  from  baptism  or  make 
pathways  around  the  fire,  but  be  kept  in  reverence,  either 
in  reverently  waiting  upon  the  Lord,  seeking  to  know  of 
his  will  or  moving  at  his  bidding;  that  there  might  be 
more  of  those  who  would  be  found  crying  unto  the  Lord ; 
that  the  Spirit  of  wisdom  and  understanding  in  the 
Lord's  holy  fear  should  imbue  the  hearts  of  those  in 
authority  throughout  the  land. 

After  this  supplication  a  minute  was  made  by  the  clerk 
that  after  a  solemnizing  opportunity  women  Friends 
withdrew. 

Eighth  month  i8.  Having  seen  in  the  newspaper  that 
a  number  of  returned  soldiers  were  in  the  naval  asylum, 
I  went  there  and  obtained  permission  to  go  into  the  hos- 
pital, but  saw  only  a  few  cases.  One  was  a  pleasing, 
well-behaved  young  man,  who  seemed  interested;  and, 
after  obtaining  liberty  from  the  physician  in  charge, 
showed  me  into  the  wards,  where  things  were  in  good 
order  and  quietness  prevailed.  My  principal  service, 
however,  seemed  to  be  with  one  in  charge  of  the  wards, 
who  was  possessed  with  a  measure  of  right  feeling.   The 


382  JOSEPH   S.  ELKINTON  i898 

department  for  old  sailors,  as  a  home,  is  well  kept,  and 
the  institution  might  be  considered  a  credit  to  the  govern- 
ment, so  far  as  comfort  and  cleanliness  are  concerned. 


CHAPTER    XIII. 
DouKHOBOR  Migration. 

Twelfth  month  2Q.  I  requested  a  joint  session  until  I 
should  open  a  concern  on  my  mind  to  meet  the  Douk- 
hobors  who,  I  had  been  informed,  had  sailed  from 
Batoum  and  were  due  at  Halifax  about  the  12th  of  the 
coming  month.  I  wished  to  hold  myself  open  for  such 
religious  service  as  might  be  called  for  with  that  perse- 
cuted people,  or  in  the  neighborhood  of  their  landing. 
They  are  expected  to  stop  at  Halifax  for  a  bill  of  health 
and  then  proceed  to  St.  John,  where  they  are  to  take 
train  to  Winnepeg,  arrangements  having  been  made  with 
the  proper  authorities  to  this  effect.  I  did  not  know 
what  detention  might  be  encountered  in  this  service,  nor 
very  definitely  what  service  might  be  required  at  my 
hands,  so  I  thought  it  most  prudent  to  have  a  minute  so 
that  I  could  appoint  meetings,  either  among  the  Douk- 
hobors  or  others  among  whom  my  lot  might  be  cast. 
After  much  consideration  a  minute  was  granted. 

First  month  i,  iSgg.  A  cold,  windy  day,  and  our  meet- 
ing this  morning  was  small.  I  do  not  know  that  I  ever 
had  my  feelings  more  enlisted  on  behalf  of  the  young 
and  rising  generation. 

First  month  5.     Left  home  this  evening  for  Boston, 

383 


384  JOSEPH   S.    ELKINTON  i899 

where  I  hope  to  be  joined  by  Job  S.  Gidley,  and  to  pro- 
ceed to  Halifax  to  meet  the  steamships  Lake  Huron  and 
Lake  Superior  carrying  the  Doukhobors  from  Batoum. 

First  month  8.  Arrived  at  HaHfax  in  company  with 
Job  S.  Gidley,  who  met  me  in  Boston,  and  we  have  com- 
fortable quarters  in  the  Halifax  Hotel.  We  have  been 
down  to  visit  the  emigrant  buildings,  and  were  cour- 
teously received  in  the  office,  and  also  introduced  to  the 
matron  in  charge.  The  main  building  was  about  five 
hundred  feet  long  and  sixty  feet  wide,  the  lower  story 
of  which  was  occupied  by  the  offices  and  the  reception 
room,  with  the  railroad  tracks  on  one  side  so  that  the 
cars  could  be  loaded  direct  from  the  room.  This  room 
had  seats  in  it  and  a  restaurant  that  furnished  meals  at 
a  moderate  price.  There  was  a  large  baggage  room  in 
a  separate  building.  In  the  second  story  of  the  large 
building  were  the  matron's  private  rooms,  and,  in  addi- 
tion to  a  large  living  room,  were  a  number  of  rooms  with 
such  appointments  that  it  might  be  called  a  well-furnished 
hospital  in  good  order.  There  were  a  few  immigrant 
patients  in  the  rooms. 

There  being  no  trains  going  out  from  Halifax  on 
First-days,  the  building  was  pretty  well  filled  with  those 
who  had  arrived  the  previous  day,  and  gave  us  an  oppor- 
tunity to  have  some  religious  service  with  them,  after 
which  we  returned  to  the  hotel.  Had  an  interview  with 
I.  S.  DeWolf,  who  told  me  he  had  a  letter  from  the 
manager  of  the  Beaver  line  in  Montreal,  to  allow  myself 


Age  69      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  385 

and  companion  to  go  on  board  the  steamships  Lake  Huron 
and  Lake  Superior  and  have  a  passage  on  them  from 
HaHfax  to  St.  John.  I  also  had  letters  from  D.  W.  Camp- 
bell, the  general  manager  at  Montreal,  addressed  to  Cap- 
tain Evans,  of  the  Lake  Huron,  and  Captain  Taylor,  of 
the  Lake  Superior,  to  furnish  me  with  passage  and  good 
accommodations.  As  all  the  vessels  coming  in  had  been 
behind  time,  it  was  calculated  by  those  of  experience  that 
the  Lake  Huron  would  not  be  in  for  nearly  a  week. 

First  month  12.  Still  no  tidings  of  the  Lake  Huron, 
and  Job  B.  Gidley  and  I  have  spent  the  past  few  days  in 
visiting  Yarmouth  and  Dartmouth,  in  the  latter  place 
meeting  with  the  mayor,  visiting  the  schools  and  having 
some  religious  opportunities. 

First  month  ij.  This  morning  we  were  called  upon  by 
Prince  Hillkoff  and  we  had  an  exceedingly  interesting 
interview.  He  is  about  forty-two  years  of  age  and  has  a 
heavy  beard ;  but  what  we  could  see  of  his  face  had  a 
sweet  and  tender  expression  in  keeping  with  his  conver- 
sation, mild  and  gentle.  The  relation  of  his  experience 
was  most  touching.  I  have  seen  Job  S.  Gidley  face  some 
stern  things,  but  he  was  nearly  overcome  with  that  narra- 
tive. In  the  course  of  conversation  Prince  Hillkoff  said 
the  Society  of  Friends  could  not  do  a  better  thing  than 
give  the  Doukhobors  a  translation  of  Barclay's  Apology 
in  the  Russian  language.  He  had  a  copy  given  him  by 
John  Bellows,  and  said  there  the  whole  matter  is  laid 
down  plain. 


386  JOSEPH  S.  ELKINTON  iggg 

First  month  14.  This  afternoon  quite  a  council  of  offi- 
cials convened  in  the  reading  room  of  the  Halifax  Hotel, 
with  whom  we  met :  James  Smart,  the  deputy  minister  of 
the  interior  from  Winnepeg;  W.  J.  White,  the  immigra- 
tion agent  from  Montreal;  Prince  Hillkoff;  Dr.  Ingalls, 
from  Winnepeg ;  Dr.  Montizambert,  superior  of  all  quar- 
antine agencies,  from  Ottawa;  T.  S.  DeWolf,  the  agent 
of  the  Beaver  line,  and  two  or  three  more.  Most  of  these 
men  expect  to  sail  on  the  Lake  Huron  to  St.  John,  where 
there  is  a  committee  of  twelve  to  welcome  the  Doukho- 
bors  and  assist  in  the  transition  to  the  cars.  During  the 
evening  a  number  of  us  were  engaged  in  interesting  con- 
versation, in  the  course  of  which  Dr.  Montizambert  told 
how  he  had  been  impressed  in  witnessing  the  death  scenes 
of  the  religious  and  irreligious ;  how  the  unbelievers 
would  be  in  agony  of  spirit  and  in  great  fear,  whilst  the 
righteous  retain  sweetness  and  quietness.  They  that 
have  seen  what  I  have — the  unbelievers  approaching  their 
end  in  terror  and  believers  having  had  no  fear  of  death — 
must  believe  there  is  something  in  religion.  "Yes,"  said 
James  Smart,  "I  believe  in  religion."  These  were  striking 
testimonies,  and  surely  a  port  physician,  whose  place  is 
to  go  amongst  all  kinds  of  disease,  has  unusual  opportuni- 
ties of  observation;  and  what  a  favor  it  is  to  have  men 
in  appointment  that  are  righteous  men  themselves  and 
bear  testimony  to  the  power  of  religion !  We  conversed 
by  the  fireside  until  twelve  o'clock,  when  the  lights  went 
out  and  we  retired. 


Age  69      DIARY   AND   CORRESPONDENCE  387 

First  month  i8.  This  evening  there  was  still  an  en- 
largement to  the  immigration  circle  in  the  reading  room, 
and  it  proved  a  very  satisfactory  occasion,  the  conversa- 
tion being  on  serious  subjects  and  the  providence  there 
might  be  in  the  representatives  of  the  different  provinces 
thus  being  brought  together,  and  several  have  expressed 
their  satisfaction  in  our  being  with  them. 

First  month  20.  Dr.  Ingalls,  the  representative  from 
Winnepeg,  thought  that  he  must  take  the  morning  train 
for  home,  and  conversed  on  the  subject  with  Job  S. 
Gidley ;  but  the  latter  preached  resignation,  which,  being 
in  keeping  with  the  prevailing  sense  of  the  circle,  the 
doctor  subsided.  The  deputy  minister  of  the  interior  has 
expressed  his  determination  to  stay,  saying  he  will  follow 
the  example  of  the  Friends.  He  told  me  last  evening 
that  the  railroad  company  had  already  been  paid  the 
passage  money  from  St.  John,  and  that  the  government 
had  allowed  five  thousand  dollars  for  the  benefit  of  the 
immigrants  after  their  arrival  at  their  destination,  and 
there  was  a  discretion  given  to  draw  on  the  government 
funds  for  ten  thousand  dollars  more,  if  necessary.  There 
has  been  nothing,  he  said,  in  the  history  of  Canada  that 
had  awakened  such  general  interest  and  they  had  en- 
deavored to  keep  it  up  by  articles  given  to  the  press. 

This  afternoon,  about  2  P.  M.,  word  was  received  that 
the  Lake  Huron  was  signaled,  which  was  a  great  relief. 
T.  S.  DeWolf  came  to  tell  us  of  the  arrangement  for  us 
to  go  down  on  the  steam  tug  following  the  boat  with  the 


388  JOSEPH  S.   ELKINTON  1899 

quarantine  officials.  As  we  approached  and  came  up 
opposite  the  windward  side,  it  was  a  wonderful  sight ;  the 
children  in  the  front  and  the  length  of  the  ship  on  both 
decks  made  one  imposing  sight.  Most  of  them  had  on 
sheepskin  coats  with  the  wool  inside,  the  girls  in  front 
of  the  women  and  the  boys  in  front  of  the  men ;  and  all 
joined  in  a  subdued  but  melodious  and  distinct  tone  in 
chanting  words  which  Prince  Hillkoff  afterward  trans- 
lated for  me.  It  was  a  very  affecting  scene,  and  the 
spirit  of  thanksgiving  and  prayer  covered  my  mind.  Job 
S.  Gidley  broke  forth  with  the  salutation  in  a  clear  strong 
voice,  "Welcome  Doukhobors."  It  was  called  out  by  one 
of  the  quarantine  officials  that  Prince  Hillkoff  and  his 
staff  and  the  deputy  minister  might  come  on  board  and 
none  others.  Being  given  to  understand  that  J.  S.  G.  and 
I  were  considered  of  the  deputy  minister's  staff,  we  were 
not  slow  in  availing  ourselves  of  the  opportunity.  With 
the  continued  feeling  of  the  spirit  of  prayer,  together 
with  heartfelt  gratitude  that  the  life  of  Captain  Evans 
had  been  preserved  through  all,  I  gave  expression  on  the 
bended  knee  to  my  exercise.  The  report  in  the  Halifax 
Herald  stated  that  "Prince  Hillkoff  and  the  two  Friends 
were  the  centre  of  an  animated  group.  Prince  Hillkoff 
was  impetuously  kissed  by  the  Doukhobors.  This  exhi- 
bition of  exuberance  of  joy  lasted  but  a  few  moments,  for 
their  heads  were  uncovered  and  the  voice  of  J.  S.  Elkin- 
ton  was  heard  in  prayer,  giving  thanks  for  continued 
mercies  in  earnest  tones.    The  Psalm  singing  ceased  when 


Age  69      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE         389 

the  prayer  began  to  ascend  to  the  Throne  of  Grace." 
The  translation  of  their  offering  in  chorus,  given  me  by 
Prince  Hillkoff  is  as  follows : 

"Know  all  men.  God  is  with  us.  He  has  carried  us 
through.  We  uplift  our  voice  and  sing  his  praise.  Let 
all  people  hear  and  join  us  in  our  praise  of  the  Almighty. 
They  that  planned  our  ruin  did  not  succeed.  We  never 
feared  them  because  God  was  with  us  and  gave  us 
strength.  Our  Lord  has  strength  to  save  us ;  why  should 
we  fear  ?  They  that  put  their  trust  in  him  are  never  for- 
saken. They  that  do  not  know  Him  now  shall  know 
Him  hereafter.  The  Light  shines  in  the  darkness  and 
will  dispel  it." 

I  felt  that  if  I  ever  heard  the  voice  of  thanksgiving 
and  melody  from  human  lips,  I  did  on  that  notable 
occasion. 

The  time  on  board  was  short  before  orders  were  given 
for  all  visitors  except  quarantine  officers  to  go  on  shore. 
I  had  a  little  interview  with  Captain  Evans,  and  gave  him 
my  letter  addressed  to  him  and  requesting  that  I  should 
be  granted  a  passage  from  Halifax  to  St.  John.  Dr. 
Montezambert  did  not  think  there  was  sufficient  cause 
to  justify  the  detention  of  the  vessel.  There  had  been 
one  case  of  measles  that  had  been  isolated  with  its 
parents  and  ten  deaths,  chiefly  among  very  young  chil- 
dren and  old  people  from  ordinary  causes,  and  one  birth 
on  the  passage.  There  were  about  two  thousand  passen- 
gers on  board. 


390  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1899 

First  month  21.  About  4  P.  M.  the  summons  came, 
and  we  gathered  up  our  baggage  and  made  our  way  to 
the  landing  at  quarantine.  The  passengers  had  not  nearly 
all  returned  to  the  vessel.  A  large  number  were  on  the 
docks  and  some  coming  down  the  hill. 

First  month  22.  First-day.  The  day  was  spent  in 
religious  opportunities  with  groups  of  the  Doukhobors 
and  in  listening  to  some  of  their  expressions,  Prince 
Hillkoff  interpreting  and  making  way  for  me.  J.  S.  G. 
became  a  pronounced  case  of  seasickness  and  had  to 
retreat.  In  one  case  a  response  was  made  by  an  old  man, 
who  said  I  reminded  him  of  the  visit  of  two  Friends  in 
Russia  in  the  year  1818.  I  told  him  they  were  Stephen 
Grellett  and  Daniel  Wheeler;  I  had  seen  them  both.  '1 
saw  them,  I  saw  them,"  he  said,  "and  now  I  see  you  as 
another  messenger  from  the  Lord." 

First  month  2^.  Many  reported  seasick.  I  am  glad 
that  I  was  able  to  go  amongst  the  people  yesterday,  for  I 
had  to  make  a  hasty  departure  from  the  breakfast  table 
this  morning,  but  able  to  be  out  again  by  noon.  Eleven 
marriages  are  reported.  We  pulled  up  aside  of  the  dock 
at  St.  John  about  4  P.  M.,  and  it  seemed  as  if  there  were 
thousands  to  greet  us.  Disembarkation  commenced,  there 
being  two  hundred  and  fifty  tons  of  baggage  and  two 
thousand  and  eighty- four  people.  The  Doukhobors 
''worked  like  beavers''  in  getting  their  baggage,  etc., 
unloaded  and  again  loaded  on  the  cars ;  but  to  get  the 
freight  train  of  fifteen  cars  and  five  passenger  trains  all 


Age  69      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  391 

off  in  good  shape  was  an  exercise.  The  officials  seemed 
equal  to  their  position,  and  Job  S.  Gidley  and  I  stayed 
and  watched  them  get  under  way  until  the  fourth  train 
had  started,  when  we  felt  it  most  prudent  to  retire,  as 
it  was  then  3.30  A.  M.  and  only  one  train  more  to  get 
off,  on  which  Prince  Hillkoff  was  going.  There  was  a 
committee  of  women  on  hand  to  look  after  the  comfort 
of  the  Doukhobor  women  and  children,  giving  the  latter 
little  bags  of  cakes,  candy,  doughnuts  and  oranges. 

First  month  2j.  The  day  was  spent  in  visiting  the 
general  city  hospital — the  asylum  for  insane  and  a  few 
calls  on  officials  and  others  we  knew  to  be  interested  in 
the  Doukhobors. 

First  ntontli  26.  Crossed  the  Bay  of  Fundy  to  Digby, 
where  we  visited  William  England  and  wife. 

First  month  2J.  Arrived  at  our  quarters  in  the  Halifax 
Hotel  and  found  our  friend,  T.  S.  DeWolf,  who  was 
interested  in  our  account  of  our  experience  with  the 
Doukhobors  on  the  passage  to  St.  John  and  seeing  them 
started  on  the  trains. 

The  Lake  Superior  arrived  so  late  in  the  day  that  it  is 
not  known  when  she  will  start  again,  so  we  must  wait 
until  morning  for  our  summons.  Returning  to  the  hotel 
after  a  trip  to  Halifax  on  the  Beaver  line  we  met  with 
several  officials,  who  announced  that  the  steamship  Lake 
Superior  had  smallpox  on  board  and  was  to  be  quar- 
antined, and  there  was  no  probability  of  any  visitors 
being  allowed.     The  case  of  smallpox  had  proved  fatal, 


392  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  is99 

and  six  other  deaths  from  various  causes.  Prince  Hill- 
koff  and  William  White  had  come  on  from  Ottawa,  and, 
under  the  circumstances,  were  going  to  return  or  go  to 
Winnepeg  in  the  morning.  This  is  a  great  disappoint- 
ment. J.  S.  G.  and  I  have  consulted,  and  we  will  prob- 
ably return  home  and  await  notification  of  the  time  the 
Lake  Superior  will  be  out  of  quarantine. 

First  month  28.  Prince  Hillkoflf  and  William  White 
were  on  the  same  train  with  us,  and  the  day  was  spent 
in  religious  conversation  with  Prince  Hillkoff  until  we 
separated,  J.  S.  G.  and  I  taking  a  sleeping-car  for  Boston, 
and  the  others  one  for  Ottawa  and  Winnepeg. 

Second  month  ij.  Received  a  telegram  this  morning, 
stating  that  the  steamship  Superior  will  be  released  from 
quarantine  on  the  17th. 

Second  month  14.  A  very  heavy  snowstorm  continues ; 
all  railroads  are  reported  to  be  blocked.  I  went  to  the 
railroad  office  in  the  Bourse  and  was  told  they  were  sell- 
ing no  tickets  and  no  trains  would  go  out  during  the 
morning,  but  it  was  intimated  that  four  locomotives  and 
two  passenger  cars  had  started  out  with  some  of  the 
officers  on  board.  I  returned  home  and  had  my  valise 
packed,  and  made  my  way  to  the  station,  where  I  suc- 
ceeded in  getting  a  ticket  as  far  as  Trenton,  with  the 
hope  there  would  be  a  New  York  train  to  follow.  Left 
for  Trenton  at  1.50  P.  M.  and  arrived  at  4.45,  having  a 
wonderful  ride  through  the  snow  and  huge  drifts,  through 
which  a  passage  had  been  cut  by  the  engines,  plows  and 


Age  69      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  393 

their  forces  of  men.  At  5.45  P.  M.  along  came  a  New 
York  train  from  Philadelphia,  and  it  looked  as  if  it  had 
broken  through  a  new  path,  worse  than  the  one  I  came 
on.  We  found  rather  less  snow  after  leaving  Trenton, 
and  arrived  in  Jersey  City  about  7.30,  and  have  taken 
a  train  for  Boston,  where  I  hope  to  arrive  to-morrow 
morning. 

Second  month  i6.  Job  S.  Gidley  joined  me  yesterday 
evening,  and  we  are  now  on  our  way  to  Halifax. 

Second  month  ij.  Arrived  at  Halifax  last  evening, 
and  at  the  hotel  this  morning  we  have  met  several  who 
are  interested  in  the  Doukhobors  and  whom  we  saw  on 
our  previous  trip.  We  went  to  the  office  of  the  Beaver 
line  and  were  cordially  welcomed  by  T.  S.  DeWolf,  who 
introduced  us  to  Captain  Taylor,  of  the  Lake  Superior. 
He  seems  like  a  very  pleasant  man,  and  when  I  handed 
him  my  letter  of  introduction  from  D.  W.  Campbell  he 
smiled  and  said  he  would  try  and  make  us  comfortable, 
but  could  not  promise  good  weather,  and  asked  if  I  were 
a  good  sailor?  I  said  I  thought  the  weather  would  be 
about  the  same  for  me  as  for  him,  and  with  a  little  more 
pleasantry  I  withdrew  so  as  not  to  detain  him,  as  he  had 
his  clearance  papers  to  get.  William  T.  White  strongly 
advises  me  to  go  with  one  trainload  as  far  as  Ottawa 
to  see  the  deputy  minister  and  minister  of  the  interior,  to 
consult  with  them  regarding  the  best  way  to  help  the 
Doukhobors.     He  assures  me  of  a  free  pass  from  St. 


394  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i899 

John  to  Ottawa  and  back  to  Montreal,  which  I  have 
decided  to  accept. 

Second  month  i8.  Was  notified  yesterday  afternoon 
that  the  tug  was  waiting,  so  we  hastened  on  board,  where 
we  found  some  of  the  officials  and  Count  Tolstoi's  son. 
We  heard  that  the  city  council  had  visited  the  Lake 
Superior  in  a  body.  We  were  not  long  in  getting  aboard 
the  steamship  and  the  gangplank  was  lifted,  and  we  were 
heading  for  St.  John.  We  visited  around  among  the 
Doukhobors,  holding  religious  opportunities  with  them 
much  the  same  as  on  the  previous  voyage.  Captain 
Taylor  gave  similar  testimony  to  that  of  Captain  Evans, 
of  the  order  and  good  behavior  of  the  passengers  through- 
out the  trip.  Captain  E.  told  us  that  he  did  not  hear  a 
quarrel  or  cross  word  on  the  way  over,  either  among  the 
people  or  the  children.  Once,  after  addressing  about 
forty  of  their  representative  men,  Serguis  Tolstoi  inter- 
preted their  response  to  me  as  follows :  "We  trust  in 
Christ;  we  thank  Christ  that  He  sends  us  men  to  visit 
us  from  the  Society  of  Friends."  Job  S.  Gidley's  minis- 
terial engagements  have  impressed  me  that  he  had  Divine 
help. 

Second  month  ip.  We  arrived  at  the  landing  stage  at 
St.  John  near  4  P.  M.  The  public  were  not  admitted 
into  the  warehouse  this  time  with  the  exception  of  the 
women's  committee,  who  had  provisions  for  the  children. 
Job  S.  Gidley  decided  to  take  train  for  home  on  account, 
of  the  illness  of  his  wife,  so  I  saw  him  off,  and  then 


Age  69      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  395 

returned  to  the  vessel  and  found  one  trainload  had  been 
started.  Had  an  interesting  interview  with  the  mayor, 
who  was  on  hand;  also  with  the  chief  of  police.  Men 
and  women  worked  prodigiously,  and  five  trains  were 
filled  with  passengers  and  the  sixth  train  with  baggage 
by  2  A.  AI.  In  the  car  into  which  I  have  been  invited  are 
Captain  Taylor,  who  goes  to  report  to  the  general  man- 
ager of  the  Beaver  line  at  Montreal;  Frank  Pedley, 
superintendent ;  Sergius  Tolstoi,  Herbert  Archer  and 
William  T.  White.  This  car  is  fitted  up  for  the  officials 
and  we  have  comfortable  quarters. 

Second  month  20.  I  spent  considerable  time  in  each  of 
the  passenger  cars.  On  arrival  at  Ottawa,  William  T. 
White,  Frank  Pedley  and  I  left  the  train  and  learned 
that  all  the  preceding  trains  had  passed  through  in  good 
order.  In  passing  through  one  of  the  trains  on  our  way 
out  I  saw  the  milk,  bread  and  cheese  being  eaten  with  a 
relish.  Being  pressed  to  partake,  the  cheese  was  found 
to  be  very  good,  and  the  bread  did  fairly  well ;  but  I  have 
no  intention  of  sending  to  St.  John  for  a  supply  for  my 
family  at  home.  In  Ottawa  I  visited  the  government 
officials  in  their  offices,  also  the  controller  of  mounted 
police  of  the  Northwestern  territories.  I  was  taken  to 
the  residence  of  the  Governor  General,  which  is  situated 
in  a  beautiful  tract  of  eighty  acres,  and  I  would  call  it 
a  palace,  but  some  called  it  a  modest  affair,  and  perhaps 
it  is  to  royal  eyes.  As  we  drove  under  the  archway  an 
officer  allowed  us  to  enter  the  hall.     Then  there  was 


396  JOSEPH  S.   ELKINTON  1899 

another,  dressed  as  a  soldier,  to  show  us  into  the  recep- 
tion room.  There  was  one,  of  whom  I  asked  if  he  was 
the  Governor  General,  but  he  said  "No."  He  tood  my 
card  and  returned,  saying  the  Governor  General  wanted 
to  know  the  subject  to  be  laid  before  him.  I  was  taken 
and  ushered  into  the  private  office,  where  I  received  a 
pleasant  greeting  and  was  given  a  full  hearing  by  the 
Governor  General,  who  appeared  interested  in  all  I  had 
to  say  regarding  the  Doukhobors,  and  expressed  his 
pleasure  with  the  interview.  1  am  told  that  when  he  goes 
down  to  open  Parliament  he  goes  in  great  state.  I  am 
thankful  to  say  no  official  in  Canada  has  declined  seeing 
me  with  my  hat  on,  although  the  hat  had  been  described 
in  the  papers  as  unique. 

Second  month  22.    Arrived  home  about  8  P.  M. 

Second  month  2^.  A  good  meeting  at  Arch  Street,  and 
the  business  meeting  was  opened  in  joint  session,  in  which 
I  returned  my  minute  granted  in  the  Twelfth  month,  with 
a  report  of  the  service  I  had  undertaken. 

Fijth  month  7.  I  left  home  again,  this  time  for  Quebec 
to  meet  the  third  shipload  of  Doukhobors,  expected  to 
arrive  on  the  steamship  Lake  Superior  in  a  few  days. 

Fifth  month  8.  Arrived  at  Quebec  and,  on  going  to 
the  office  of  the  Beaver  line  of  steamships  here,  learned 
that  the  steamship  Lake  Superior  was  sighted  last  eve- 
ning, all  in  good  health  and  expected  here  about  noon 
to-morrow.  The  Lake  Superior  is  supposed  to  have  half 
a  cargo  of  freight  and  ten  hundred  and  thirty  passengers, 


Age  69      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE         397 

which  are  those  Doukhobors  who  were  sent  to  Cyprus, 
but  the  cHmate  not  agreeing  with  them  there,  they  are 
coming  to  join  their  brethren  in  this  country.  Have  met 
Herbert  Archer,  who  has  lately  returned  from  the  north- 
west where  the  Doukhobors  are  getting  settled,  and  he 
says  the  houses  they  have  built  are  of  logs,  thirty  feet 
long,  twenty  feet  wide,  board  roofs ;  two  windows  in 
each  end,  berths  along  the  sides,  a  big  stove  in  the  middle 
and  calculated  to  accommodate  fifty  or  sixty  persons.  A 
goodly  quantity  of  potatoes  is  reported  to  have  been 
purchased  by  the  government  last  fall  for  seed.  It  is 
expected  the  steamship  Lake  Huron  will  have  left 
Batoum  on  the  7th  of  this  month  with  two  thousand 
more  Doukhobors   for  Quebec. 

Fifth  month  lo.  It  was  a  beautiful  evening  and,  as 
we  were  promenading,  a  rocket  from  the  vessel  went  up, 
and  a  response  or  salute  by  firing  of  a  gun  announced 
the  vessel  at  hand.  There  was  a  feeble  chant  compared 
with  the  first  heard  on  the  Lake  Huron,  but  still  it  could 
be  heard,  and  there  are  not  so  many.  It  was  very  pleasant 
to  be  saluted  by  Captain  Taylor.  I  said  to  an  officer  I 
desired  to  speak  a  few  words,  and  queried  whether  it 
should  be  from  the  wharf  or  on  the  bridge.  He  an- 
swered, "On  the  bridge."  So,  when  the  gangplank  was 
laid,  an  interpreter  was  sent  on  the  bridge  with  me. 
There  was  a  marked  silence  when  I  was  through  with 
my  address  and  petition,  and  a  very  kindly  response 
was  made  from  the  deck.     It  was  about  IIP.  M.  when 


398  JOSEPH  S.   ELKINTON  i899 

they  began  to  unload  the  boat,  and  I  thought  it  would  have 
been  more  comfortable  to  have  waited  for  daylight,  but 
the  trains  were  there  waiting,  so  the  business  went  on, 
William  Bellows,  who  had  come  over  with  them,  soon 
made  himself  known,  with  whom  a  pleasant  acquaint- 
ance began.  The  passengers  from  Cyprus  showed  the 
effects  of  suffering  on  their  countenances,  and  did  not 
seem  as  strong  physically  as  the  others.  As  William 
Bellows  decided  to  go  on  the  first  trainload,  I  concluded 
to  keep  him  company  as  far  as  Ottawa,  having  a  free 
pass,  and  thus  had  opportunity  of  mingling  with  the 
passengers. 

Fifth  month  ii.  While  I  was  in  the  station  at  Ottawa 
the  second  train  came  in,  which  gave  me  an  opportunity 
of  passing  through  it  before  it  started.  None  of  the  cars 
seemed  cold  and  I  had  a  pleasant  time  with  some  of  the 
little  boys. 

Fifth  month  ij.    At  4.35  I  took  the  train  for  Montreal, 

homeward  bound,  and  after  making  a  few  visits  by  the 

way,  arrived  at  home  in  time  for  tea  this  evening. 

At  a  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends  of  Philadelphia,  held  Fifth 
month  25,  1899 : 

Joseph  S.  Elkinton  informed  us  that  with  Divine  permission 
and  the  approval  of  this  meeting,  he  proposed  to  meet  the  steam- 
ship "Lake  Huron"  at  Quebec  in  the  course  of  the  coming  two 
weeks,  with  2,300  of  the  persecuted  Russians,  and  to  proceed 
with  these  passengers  to  their  destination  in  the  Canadian  Prov- 
inces. Also  to  hold  religious  meetings  as  might  seem  called 
for  at  his  hands  with  the  Doukhobors,  or  others  among  whom  his 
lot  might  be  cast,  in  Canada,  in  their  settlements,  or  on  the  way 


Age  69      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  399 

going  or  coming.  On  considering  this  weighty  engagement, 
much  unity  was  expressed  with  this  service  and  we  liberate 
Joseph  S.  Elkinton  to  perform  it  in  such  heavenly  wisdom  as 
may  be  afforded,  desiring  that  the  Lord  may  answer  it  to  his 
own  praise.  Joseph  S.  Elkinton  is  a  minister  in  unity  with  us. 
From  the  Minutes. 

Thomas  Elkinton, 
Anna  Walton,  Clerks. 
Ephraim  Smith,  Correspondent. 

Sixth  month  j.  William  Evans  and  I  left  Philadelphia 
yesterday  on  our  journey  to  Canada,  and  arrived  at 
Quebec  this  P.  M.  The  steamship  Lake  Huron  has  not 
yet  been  heard  from. 

Sixth  month  7.  The  past  few  days  were  spent  in 
visiting  public  institutions,  Parliament  Buildings,  Young 
Men's  Christian  Association,  where  we  had  religious 
opportunities;  also  visited  some  public  officials.  After 
dinner  we  packed  up  and  went  to  the  immigration  land- 
ing, and  a  number  of  us  arrived  there  about  the  same 
time ;  among  others  Prince  Hillkoff,  to  whom  we  gave  a 
warm  greeting.  As  the  afternoon  was  passing  away,  some 
one  remarked  the  river  was  very  rough  with  a  strong 
east  wind,  and  he  did  not  think  the  vessel  would  be  in 
to-day.  But  the  next  announcement  was  something  more 
significant  than  rough  waters  and  an  east  wind.  A  yellow 
flag  was  announced  on  the  Lake  Huron  and  a  telegram 
from  Dr.  Montizambert  to  Frank  Pedley  read,  "De- 
tained." Another  telegram  followed,  "Twenty-one  days," 
and  it  did  not  take  much  of  a  prophet  to  interpret  this 
as    quarantine.      We    returned    to    the    hotel    for    the 


400  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1899 

night,  Prince  Hillkoff  promising  to  call  in  the  morn- 
ing and  report  the  situation  more  fully.  It  was  finally 
decided  that  Prince  Hillkoff,  William  Evans  and  myself 
start  this  evening  for  Winnepeg,  stopping  off  at  Mon- 
treal by  the  way.  We  learned  before  starting  that  there 
is  one  case  of  smallpox  on  board  the  Lake  Huron — a 
child.  The  two  Doukhobors,  who  came  on  with  Prince 
Hillkoff  to  meet  the  ship,  were  allowed,  after  earnest 
pleadings,  to  go  to  their  fellow-countrymen  and  remain 
in  quarantine  with  them.  William  Evans  and  I  drafted 
an  address  to  them,  which  Prince  Hillkoff  kindly  trans- 
lated and  forwarded.  We  arrived  at  Winnepeg  this 
morning. 

Sixth  month  lo.  The  trains  to  Yorkton  only  run  on 
Seventh-  and  Third-days,  so  we  will  have  a  few  days  to 
spend  in  Winnepeg. 

Sixth  month  /j.  Have  met  with  Peter  Jansen  while 
in  Winnepeg. 

We  have  left  Winnepeg  and  are  on  our  way  to  York- 
ton.  We  have  been  from  home  eleven  days  and  not  seen 
eleven  Doukhobors  until  to-day,  when  we  saw  some 
working  beside  the  railroad.  They  seemed  to  have  a  nice 
outfit,  with  special  cars  for  cooking,  dining  and  sleeping. 
On  our  arrival  at  Yorkton  a  large  gathering  awaited  us, 
among  them  a  goodly  number  of  Doukhobors,  some  of 
whom  seized  our  baggage  and  led  us  into  the  hotel  nearby. 

Sixth  month  14.  As  we  came  out  of  our  rooms  this 
morning  onto  the  balcony  a  pretty  sight  met  our  eyes — 


Age  69      DIARY  AND   CORRESPONDENCE  401 

about  one  hundred  tents  holding  nearly  one  thousand 
of  the  Cyprus  Doukhobors.  Prince  Hillkoff  was  holding 
a  council  with  them  regarding  their  getting  settled  on 
their  lands.  A  telegram  had  kindly  been  sent  here  for 
the  officials  to  see  that  Williams  Evans  and  myself  had 
suitable  and  comfortable  outfits  as  well  as  conveyances 
and  drivers  provided  for  our  trip  through  the  Doukhobor 
villages.  We  have  held  a  meeting  with  those  here  at 
Yorkton  and  had  a  very  touching  appeal  made  to  us  by  the 
women  that  we  endeavor  to  get  their  husbands  and  sons 
out  of  exile  and  transported  to  this  country.  William 
Evans  answered  by  saying,  "We  will  carry  your  message 
to  our  friends  and  do  what  we  can  to  enable  your  friends 
and  relatives  to  get  to  you." 

Sixth  month  75.  Prince  Hillkoflf  showed  us  two  topo- 
graphical maps  that  he  has  drawn  us  and  informed  us 
that  we  are  to  start  to-morrow  morning  with  an  outfit 
that  is  complete  for  five  days'  journey. 

Sixth  month  16.  We  started  off  this  A.  M.  with  two 
teams,  one  to  a  light-running  wagon,  in  which  were 
Prince  Hillkoff  and  driver  in  front  seat  and  William 
Evans  and  myself  in  back  seat.  The  second  was  our 
baggage  wagon,  containing  our  baggage,  a  new  tent 
with  equipment,  blankets,  robes  and  provisions  for  men 
and  beasts.  One  of  the  Doukhobors  accompanied  the 
driver  on  the  second  wagon.  The  mercury  was  about 
55°.  The  mosquitoes  appeared  before  we  pitched  our 
tent  for  the  night  and  were  an  innumerable  company, 


402  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i899 

twenty  to  the  square  inch  some  one  ventured  to  remark. 
We  tied  our  heads  up,  but  even  then  our  faces  and  necks 
were  swollen  from  their  numerous  attacks.  This  was 
an  all-day  onset  and  one  of  the  worst  of  the  season.  We 
rode  along  pretty  cheerfully  until  we  came  to  a  broken- 
down  bridge,  but  we  succeeded  in  getting  safely  over  or 
through  the  stream.  Later,  in  trying  to  get  our  baggage 
wagon  out  of  a  slough,  I  was  thrown  over  into  it.  I  had 
my  dust  coat  on  and  came  off  better  than  might  be  ex- 
pected, and  succeeded  in  showing  the  men  a  better  way 
of  getting  the  wagon  out.  One  of  the  men  remarked  if 
I  was  down  a  little  while  before,  I  was  top  up  now. 
After  things  were  reloaded  we  proceeded  until  we  came 
to  another  broken  bridge,  but  none  of  us  were  willing  to 
venture  fording  that  stream,  so  drove  along  the  bank 
through  underbrush  until  finally  we  discovered  another 
bridge,  which  we  crossed  and,  to  our  joy,  saw"  a  house  up 
on  the  bank.  Here  we  were  kindly  received  and  informed 
we  were  six  miles  from  the  nearest  Doukhobor  village. 
We  camped  for  the  night. 

Having  no  sloughs  to  cross  we  made  much  better  time 
and  reached  the  Verigin  settlement.  Whilst  the  prince 
was  engaged  with  the  business  men  I  found  a  small  boy 
who  could  speak  a  little  English,  and  we  visited  the  tents. 
Thus  we  proceeded  from  settlement  to  settlement  through 
a  sparsely-settled  country;  during  our  visits  at  the  vil- 
lages. Prince  Hillkoff  transacting  business  and  giving 
advice  to  the  men  and  we  endeavoring  to  give  sympathy 


Age  69      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  403 

and  comfort  to  the  afflicted  and  holding  many  precious 
religious  opportunities  in  the  homes  and  collectively. 
We  visited  the  sick  and  made  donations  to  particularly 
needy  or  suffering  cases.  Many  little  tokens  of  their 
workmanship  were  presented  to  us. 

Sixth  month  21.  We  arrived  at  Yorkton  about  6  P.  M. 
last  evening,  and  William  Evans  feels  that  he  must  start 
homeward  this  morning,  but  I  do  not  feel  clear  to  leave 
just  yet. 

William  Bellows  is  here  and  will  accompany  me 
through  the  colony  of  Doukhobors.  A  pleasant  incident 
occurred  this  morning  when  a  company  of  Doukhobors 
came  to  the  hotel  asking  for  a  portion  of  the  Russian 
Testaments  that  they  understood  had  arrived,  and  Wil- 
liam Bellows  had  the  satisfaction  of  handing  them  out. 

Sixth  month  22.  After  some  delay  William  Bellows 
and  I  started  on  our  journey  among  the  remaining  vil- 
lages that  had  not  been  visited.  Whilst  it  was  in  a 
different  direction  and  over  different  trails,  the  experience 
was  much  the  same  as  regards  the  traveling.  When  it 
came  to  lodgings  they  had  a  different  plan  from  that 
which  prevails  in  hotels  and  other  places  of  entertain- 
ment. The  bedstead  was  about  three  feet  long  and 
seven  feet  wide,  and  about  four  feet  from  the  floor,  so 
that  we  could  put  our  things  underneath  if  we  chose  to 
do  so.  Candles  were  not  in  use,  but  after  sundown, 
which  was  about  ten  P.  M.,  a  piece  of  twisted  paper  was 
lighted  and  a  stool  placed  in  front  of  a  corner  of  a  shelf 


404  JOSEPH   S.   EIvKINTON  1S99 

that  had  been  fitted  up  with  genuine  kindness,  and  in  I 
crawled  and  WilHam  Bellows  after  me. 

Sixth  month  2J.  We  have  spent  five  days  traveling 
among  the  Doukhobor  settlements  and  are  safely  back 
at  Yorkton. 

Sixth  month  28.  I  have  taken  passage  from  Yorkton 
to  Winnepeg. 

Seventh  month  2.  On  arrival  in  Quebec  went  to  the 
immigration  building  this  morning  and  was  kindly  given 
the  freedom  of  the  house. 

Seventh  month  j.  Dr.  Montizambert  came  into  the 
immigration  building  this  morning  and  gave  me  a  pleasant 
greeting.  He  said  there  had  been  no  deaths  from  small- 
pox.    Prince  HillkofiF  also  came  in. 

Had  a  pleasant  sail  down  to  the  quarantine  quarters 
and  rode  back  on  the  boat  with  the  Doukhobors  who  had 
been  released.  We  approached  the  landing  about  9  P.  M. 
and  were  all  safely  landed.  Feeling  somewhat  tired  I  did 
not  wait  to  see  them  take  the  cars,  but  retired  to  my  room. 

Seventh  month  6.  Took  the  train  and  in  due  season 
arrived  in  Montreal.  As  I  was  on  my  way  to  take  the 
train  for  Ottawa  a  soldier  was  coming  down  the  hill, 
somewhat  under  the  influence  of  liquor,  I  judged,  by  his 
language  and  the  way  he  reeled.  As  he  was  passing  he 
drove  into  me  with  such  a  square  blow  in  front  that  it 
was  a  wonder  it  did  not  knock  me  down  or  break  my 
ribs,  but  my  chest  felt  it  for  some  time.  The  young  man 
carrying  my  valise  told  him  he  ought  to  be  ashamed  of 


Age  69      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  405 

himself,  whereupon  he  turned  around  and  used  very  pro- 
fane language.  I  concluded  to  take  no  notice  of  the  act 
and  passed  on  my  way. 

Seventh  month  J.  Having  transacted  some  business 
with  the  officials  here  at  Ottawa  I  believe  I  am  now  clear 
to  leave  these  parts. 

Seventh  month  i6.  Made  visits  at  Bloomfield,  Canada, 
New  Bedford  and  Nantucket  on  my  way  home,  arriving 
in  Philadelphia  this  morning,  going  to  Malvern  to  join 
my  family  after  meeting. 

Seventh  month  28.  Made  my  report  to  the  Monthly 
Meeting  held  in  joint  session,  where  I  gave  a  somewhat 
detailed  account  of  my  trip  to  Canada. 

Tenth  month  24.  Left  home  in  company  with  William 
B.  Harvey  to  visit  the  Doukhobors  in  their  respective 
villages  in  the  Northwest. 

Twelfth  month  2g.  At  Winnepeg  we  had  the  offer  of 
an  interpreter  to  go  with  us  to  Yorkton  through  the 
villages  of  the  north  and  south  colonies. 

Tenth  month  31.  The  train  we  took  this  morning  was 
considerably  late,  and  had  four  carloads  of  Doukhobors. 
We  were  joined  by  our  interpreter,  Frederick  Leonhardt, 
who  informed  us  that  he  had  been  married  about  a  week. 
He  speaks  German,  as  well  as  Russian  and  English,  and 
having  made  several  journeys  among  the  settlements,  he 
is  supposed  to  be  conversant  with  the  roads  and  trails. 
The  train  was  considered  too  heavy,  so  two  of  the  cars 
of   Doukhobors   were   left   at   Portage   La   Prairie    for 


406  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i899 

another  engine.  We  held  reHgious  opportunities  with 
the  Doukhobors  on  board  the  train  in  groups.  Our  inter- 
preter told  us  he  spent  three  months  with  the  Douk- 
hobors and  never  saw  a  quarrel  among  the  children  and 
no  breach  of  harmony  among  the  older  ones,  which  made 
a  deep  impression  upon  him.  We  have  arrived  at  York- 
ton. 

Eleventh  month  i.  After  breakfast  went  to  the  ware- 
house and  saw  a  lot  of  flour  that  had  been  bought  by 
W.  F.  McCreary,  and  behold,  there  was  the  second 
shipment  of  goods  from  Philadelphia ;  my  next  errand 
was  with  agent  James  Crerar  about  the  distribution  of 
goods.  A  telegram  was  received  from  W.  F.  McCreary 
to  the  import  that  the  request  for  the  exemption  from 
duty  on  all  the  gifts  from  our  friends  would  be  granted, 
which  is  quite  a  boon.  Our  work  is  deeply  exercising, 
but  as  the  weather  is  fine  we  felt  best  satisfied  to  improve 
the  opportunity  and  move  on. 

Eleventh  month  2.  We  arrived  at  the  first  Doukhobor 
village  about  noon,  when  we  had  dinner,  using  our  own 
food,  which  was  nicely  set  out  for  us  in  one  of  the 
Doukhobor  houses.  The  village  contained  one  hundred 
and  forty-seven  people,  and  we  had  touching  interviews 
with  some  of  them.  Later,  as  we  visited  the  villages, 
William  B.  Harvey  would  gather  statistics  as  to  their 
numbers  and  needs  and  condition,  and  I  would  visit  the 
homes  and  be  joined  by  W.  B.  H.  when  he  had  obtained 
his  information.     We  were  always  most  hospitably  re- 


Age  69      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  407 

ceived  and  entertained.  The  children  call  me  "Grand- 
father," and  at  the  sight  of  me  run  around  and  call  the 
other  children  to  come. 

Eleventh  month  J.  It  was  pretty  dark  when  we  ar- 
rived at  the  village  Michailofka  last  evening,  and  lodged 
at  Ivan  Ivan's,  who  was  one  of  the  first  to  come  over 
to  select  the  spot  for  settlement.  Whilst  at  supper  word 
went  forth  and  we  had  a  full  house. 

Eleventh  month  8.  Daylight  showed  us  a  row  of  six 
houses  in  course  of  construction  along  the  street.  We 
are  told  there  is  to  be  representation  from  the  dififerent 
villages  belonging  to  the  north  colony  to  meet  to-morrow 
to  form  an  organization  or  government  among  them- 
selves. 

Eleventh  month  p.  The  men  from  the  different  vil- 
lages were  heard  and  statistics  taken.  In  going  through 
the  villages  thus  far  we  have  found  several  cases  of 
sickness  and  much  to  draw  on  our  sympathies,  but  there 
is  cause  for  thankfulness  for  the  cheerful  spirit  mani- 
fested among  the  people  who  have  so  little  to  begin  with. 
Assistance  has  been  rendered  those  we  have  visited  who 
seemed  in  great  need.  Much  has  been  done  since  I  was 
last  here  in  the  improvement  of  their  surroundings.  We 
have  had  many  precious  religious  meetings  in  the  various 
settlements. 

Eleventh  month  I2.  This  village,  Petrofka,  seems  to 
be  the  most  prosperous  village  of  any  yet  visited.  Some 
of  the  people  can  speak  a  little  English  and  the  women 


408  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i899 

have  prepared  some  good  cakes  for  breakfast.  I  was 
favored  with  the  precedence  of  a  berth  on  top  of  the 
oven  last  night.  William  B.  Harvey  w^as  beside  me,  but 
being  over  the  centre,  when  the  fire  was  renewed  early 
in  the  morning,  he  was  for  seeking  cooler  quarters.  After 
breakfast  we  visited  all  the  houses  and  found  them  filled 
with  inmates,  some  very  bright  people  among  them.  In 
one  house  we  saw  an  oven  in  one  corner  where  some 
baking  was  going  on  and  a  horse  in  a  little  pen  in  an 
opposite  corner.  One  house  was  pretty  large  and  well 
finished  both  inside  and  out,  and  equipped  with  a  pretty 
full  supply  of  furniture.  Some  of  the  homes  are  "dug- 
outs," plastered  inside  and  having  two  windows  in  the 
ends  to  admit  light  and  ventilation. 

Eleventh  month  jj.  Last  night  a  cat  came  into  our 
sleeping  berth  and  was  told  to  go  to  the  next  neighbor,  but 
instead  of  doing  that  it  went  to  our  provision  box  and 
feasted  on  our  canned  beef.  At  Fort  Pelly  the  dogs  were 
interested  in  our  provision  box  and  made  a  general  clear- 
ance of  contents  so  that  we  had  to  be  given  a  new  supply. 
In  gathering  the  people  together  for  religious  service  the 
house  was  packed  and  the  children  peeping  out  from 
every  nook  and  corner.  I  had  the  question  asked  if  the 
children  recognized  me;  one  little  girl  answered  "quar- 
antine."' Thus  we  passed  from  one  village  to  another, 
meeting  with  much  the  same  experience  and,  amidst  all, 
we  have  much  to  be  thankful  for.     On  being  asked  if  I 


Age  69      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  409 

might  write  to  Friends  in  England  that  they  felt  hopeful, 
they  said,  "Yes,"  for  they  had  their  freedom. 

Eleventh  month  15.  In  the  village  Petrofka  Orlofka 
we  had  a  warm  greeting  from  the  "Patriarch"  Ivan 
Machartoff.  After  dinner  the  people  gathered  around 
us  and  I  said  we  would  first  listen  to  what  they  had  to 
tell  us.  Ivan  Machartoff  said  that  they,  like  us,  prayed 
to  the  same  Saviour,  to  which  I  responded  that  there  was 
nothing  we  would  rather  tell  our  friends  at  home.  He 
then  went  on  with  a  further  testimony  for  Jesus  Christ, 
and  he  made  allusion  again  to  the  time  when  he  saw 
Stephen  Grellet  in  1818.  I  alluded  to  the  pleasure  it 
gave  me  when  he,  Ivan  Machartoff,  was  asked  at  York- 
ton  by  a  Methodist  minister  if  they  taught  their  children 
and  he  called  his  little  grandson,  aged  about  six  years, 
who  repeated  the  ten  commandments  without  faltering; 
and  we  encouraged  the  teaching  of  the  children  in  that 
way  as  being  in  keeping  with  the  Lord's  command  to 
those  who  lived  long  ago,  that  as  they  walked  by  the 
way  and  as  they  sat  by  the  fireside,  they  should  speak  of 
the  doings  of  the  Lord. 

Eleventh  month  75.  At  several  houses  at  which  we 
have  lodged  and  visited,  it  has  been  remarkable  what  the 
children  have  been  able  to  recite  from  memory. 

Eleventh  month  16.  We  have  returned  to  Yorkton  and 
arrived  in  good  season,  as  it  is  the  right  time  to  have  a 
say  in  the  distribution  of  the  three  or  four  carloads  of 
goods  that  have  arrived. 


410  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i899 

Eleventh  month  21.  Left  Yorkton  for  Winnepeg  yes- 
terday morning  and  have  now  arrived  about  4  P.  M. 

Eleventh  month  2j.  We  have  started  for  Prince  Albert 
district,  our  interpreter,  Frederick  Leonhardt,  accom- 
panying us.  We  were  furnished  with  free  passes  to 
Duck  Lake. 

Eleventh  month  24.  Arrived  at  Saskatoon  and  found 
the  agent  had  been  instructed  to  look  after  our  comfort, 
and  he  insisted  upon  my  taking  his  fur-lined  coat  for  the 
rest  of  the  journey,  and  to  oblige  him  I  accepted  it. 
After  some  exercise  on  account  of  our  provision  box 
having  disappeared,  the  larder  has  been  replenished  by 
William  B.  Harvey  and  the  agent,  and  we  are  in  readi- 
ness to  start  out  to-morrow  morning. 

Eleventh  month  2^.  We  are  again  on  the  move  and 
have  seen  five  antelopes  during  our  ride  to-day.  W^e 
visited  one  village  and  it  was  marvellous  what  had  been 
accomplished  with  the  means  at  command. 

Twelfth  month  i.  Have  arrived  at  Winnepeg  on  our 
return  from  visiting  what  settlements  we  could  in  Prince 
Albert  district,  and  have  enjoyed  reading  the  letters  from 
home,  found  waiting  for  us.  Whilst  I  have  been  out  on 
a  business  trip,  yet  there  is  but  One,  who  knows  the 
closeness  of  the  siege  and  measure  of  depth  of  earnest- 
ness with  which  I  have  hoped  for  the  blessing  at  home. 
We  left  Winnepeg  this  P.  M. 

Twelfth  month  3.     Reached  Ottawa  at  2.30,  where  I 


Age  69      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  411 

have  been  invited  to  make  some  social  calls.  William 
B.  Han-ey  felt  best  satisfied  to  start  for  his  home. 

Twelfth  month  5.  Came  to  Toronto  to  visit  some  in 
the  cause  of  the  Doukhobors. 

Twelfth  month  6.  Left  Toronto  last  evening  and  am 
now  on  my  way  to  visit  Tunesassa. 

Twelfth  month  J.  Have  enjoyed  the  sight  of  the  hills 
and  landscape,  together  with  the  school  and  its  sur- 
roundings. If  it  should  prove  my  last  visit  here,  it  will 
be  a  pleasant  retrospect. 

Twelfth  month  11.  Arrived  at  home  in  time  for 
dinner. 

First  month  2Q,  ipoo.  I  felt  a  drawing  to  the  meeting 
of  colored  ministers,  where  they  discussed  a  paper,  which 
had  been  produced  at  their  last  meeting,  justifying  war, 
but  was  not  finally  acted  upon  at  that  time.  The  expres- 
sion to-day  was  against  it.  I  was  allowed  to  express  my 
exercise  and  called  to  mind  that  the  appearance  of  Jesus 
Christ  was  heralded  by  the  anthem  ''Peace  on  earth." 

Third  month  20.  Between  Doukhobor  correspondence, 
committees  and  other  engagements  I  have  had  little  time 
for  writing  my  notes  the  past  few  months,  but  the  time 
has  been  an  eventful  one.  Our  meetings  have  been 
favored  seasons  in  which  there  have  been  some  striking 
and  pointed  communications  fraught  with  instruction 
and  an  evidence  that  the  Lord  was  still  mindful  of  the 
remnant  of  his  people,  inspiring  his  servants  to  commu- 
nicate that  with  which  they  were  entrusted  to  edification. 


412  JOSEPH  S.   ELKINTON  i900 

The  meetings  of  our  important  committees  have  been 
clothed  with  a  measure  of  solemnity  that  left  a  savor  on 
the  mind  that  we  have  been  owned  in  our  work.  In  our 
Meeting  for  Sufferings,  held  on  the  16th,  we  were  bap- 
tized together,  and  some  capacity  given  to  consider  the 
condition  of  both  Church  and  State. 

Fourth  month  j.  Left  home  for  Ottawa,  having  a 
desire  to  know  more  definitely  from  some  of  the  officials 
as  to  how  the  Doukhobors  had  stood  the  winter  and 
whether  any  had  perished,  and  also  concluded  to  take  in 
Tunesassa  on  my  way,  so  as  to  be  at  the  closing  exercise 
of  the  school. 

Fourth  month  7.  After  an  interesting  visit  at  Tune- 
sassa proceeded  to  Ottawa,  where  I  arrived  6.30  this 
A.  M.,  stopping  at  Toronto  on  the  way  to  make  a  few 
calls  on  Doukhobor  business. 

Most  of  the  day  was  spent  visiting  government  officials 
and  others  who  could  give  information  regarding  the 
condition  of  the  Doukhobors,  which  seemed  to  be  mostly 
satisfactory,  or  as  good  as  could  be  expected.  Left 
Ottawa  for  Montreal,  where  I  hope  to  make  good  con- 
nections for  New  York  and  Philadelphia. 

Sixth  month  13.  Word  has  been  received  that  our 
aunt  Phebe  Elkinton  has  passed  away. 

Sixth  month  18.  We  had  an  interesting  and  memorable 
meeting  of  the  Committee  on  the  Willitts  Trust  this  A.  M., 
all  the  members  present.  Charles  Rhoads  said  he  had 
felt  throughout  the  meeting  a  feeling  of  devotion.     He 


Age  70      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  413 

appeared  on  his  knees,  expressing  gratitude  for  the  har- 
mony and  comfort  we  had  had  in  the  meetings  of  the 
committee  and  prayed  for  abiUty  to  enter  rightly  into 
feeUng  with  the  colored  people,  with  wisdom  and  guid- 
ance to  procure  suitable  reading  matter  that  the  work  to 
which  we  have  given  attention,  might  be  blessed.  He 
then  interceded  for  the  dear  brothers  who  were  going 
out  on  an  embassy  amongst  another  class,  who  had 
suffered  persecution  for  the  testimony  of  a  good  con- 
science; that  their  going  out  might  be  blessed  to  them 
and,  if  consistent  with  the  Divine  will,  be  brought  back 
to  us.  It  was  a  sweet,  loving  prayer,  touching  to  our 
feelings.  He,  in  the  courage  of  it,  said,  "We  love  our 
brothers  very  dearly." 

Sixth  month  i8.  This  afternoon  I  left  home  with  a 
view  of  accompanying  Jonathan  E.  Rhoads  on  a  visit  to 
the  Doukhobors  in  the  Northwest  Territory  of  Canada, 
he  having  obtained  a  minute  from  his  Monthly  Meeting 
liberating  him  for  that  service,  and  to  attend  to  such 
religious  service  on  the  way  going  and  returning  as  he 
might  feel  required  of  him. 

Eighth  month  19.  We  arrived  at  Montreal  this  A.  M. 
and  this  P.  M.  have  taken  train  for  Ottowa  where  we 
arrived  this  evening. 

Sixth  month  20.  After  inter\-iews  with  the  government 
officials  we  took  1.25  train  this  P.  M.  for  Winnepeg  and 
thence  to  Yorkton. 

Sixth  month  24.  It  was  a  long  dusty  ride  from  Portage 


414  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1900 

La  Prairie  to  Yorkton  where  we  arrived  about  midnight 
in  what  is  called  a  mixed  train.  On  leaving  the  car  my 
hand  was  quickly  taken  by  that  of  the  interpreter,  Fred- 
erick Leonhardt,  who  had  a  number  of  Doukhobors  with 
him  so  we  had  quite  a  greeting;  our  baggage  was  soon 
taken  and  carried  to  the  residence  of  Frederick  Leon- 
hardt where  his  wife  gave  us  a  warm  welcome. 

Sixth  month  2^.  There  is  a  small  Indian  camp  opposite 
the  residence  of  Frederick  Leonhardt,  composed  of  about 
a  dozen  men,  women  and  children  with  their  teams. 
Jonathan  E.  Rhoads  observed  them  fixing  up  a  tent  in 
such  a  way  that  he  said  in  Australia  it  was  considered  a 
sure  sign  of  rain  when  the  natives  of  that  country  began 
fixing  up  in  that  style.  We  had  both  lightning  and 
thunder  with  rain  and  rain  enough  to  make  the  change 
in  temperature  quite  as  much  as  we  want.  We  have  seen 
an  interesting  sight  of  Doukhobors  on  good  looking 
horses  carrying  firewood,  two  of  them  carrying  a  good 
sized  tree  across  their  shoulders.  They  appeared  in  some 
measure  to  be  adopting  the  English  style  of  dress.  The 
women  are  doing  some  business  in  gathering  Senega  root 
which  can  now  be  gathered  oflf  the  prairies. 

Sixth  month  26.  We  had  thirty  mile  ride  yesterday 
over  the  prairie  to  the  village  Terpenie  arriving  about 
8.30  P.  M.  We  had  time  before  dark  to  enter  all  their 
eighteen  finished  and  occupied  houses,  there  being  six  or 
seven  more  in  the  course  of  construction.  Both  the 
finished  and  unfinished  houses  have  a  vegetable  or  flower 


Age  70      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  415 

garden  with  plants  growing  in  beds  that  give  evidence  of 
considerable  attention,  and  some  have  planted  small  trees 
near  the  edge  of  their  front  yards.  As  the  houses  are 
built  in  two  rows  with  a  wide  avenue  between,  the  future 
looks  promising  for  a  pretty  appearance  of  things.  The 
inside  of  the  houses  look  very  clean  and  great  credit  is 
due  for  what  has  been  done  in  such  short  time. 

Ivan  (John)  Marchatoff  lives  in  this  village,  and  I  had 
him  relate  to  J.  E.  R.  what  he  remembered  of  Stephen 
Grellet  when  he  visited  Russia.  While  they  were  gath- 
ered around  us,  Jonathan  E.  Rhoads  told  them  he  thought 
of  Abraham,  who  has  told  of  the  far  country  that  was  to 
be  for  his  children  and  children's  children,  and  God  had 
brought  their  children  (the  Doukhobors)  through  and 
had  a  place  for  them  here,  and  as  Abraham  had  kept  the 
faith,  and  it  was  accounted  to  him  for  righteousness, 
even  so  if  they  kept  their  faith  and  trust  in  God  who  had 
done  great  things  for  them,  they  would  surely  know  of 
his  blessing  and  protection.  Ivan  Marchatoff  joined  us 
and  proceeded  with  us  through  the  other  villages. 

Sixth  month  28.  On  arrival  at  one  of  the  villages, 
while  dinner  was  being  prepared  we  visited  several  houses 
and  in  one  where  we  dined  there  is  a  very  interesting 
case  of  a  young  woman,  who  had  suffered  greatly  in 
Russia;  she  is  gifted  both  intellectually  and  in  the 
handling  of  the  needle.  She  and  another  girl  were  stolen 
from  their  homes  by  the  Tartars  and  at  night  were  tied 
to  a  fence  with  their  hands  fastened  behind  them.    They 


416  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1900 

managed  to  get  loose  and  she  with  her  brother  and  her 
companion  in  captivity  succeeded  in  joining  the  Douk- 
hobors  as  they  were  leaving  Russia.  The  brother  was 
much  more  decided  than  their  father,  for  the  Truth,  and 
was  locked  in  a  cellar,  the  intention  being  to  leave  him 
without  food,  but  the  sister  and  other  children  continued 
to  find  holes  to  slide  down  some  bread  and  water,  and 
finally  procured  a  crowbar  and  pried  out  the  staple  to 
which  the  lock  was  attached  and  then  put  the  staple  back 
after  liberating  their  brother,  who  also  made  his  escape  by 
coming  to  Canada. 

Seventh  month  j.  The  last  house  we  visited  in  this 
village  was  the  residence  of  the  dear  "Grandmother"  of 
the  Doukhobors,  Nastasia  Virigen,  who  has  six  sons  in 
exile  in  Siberia  and  one  died  on  his  way  here ;  she  also 
has  a  grandson  among  the  exiles.  Her  son  Peter  seemed 
to  be  the  most  noted  among  the  exiles.  She  is  84  years 
of  age,  clear  and  bright  in  her  intellect. 

While  the  inhabitants  of  the  village  were  gathered 
around  us  a  letter  was  read  from  one  of  those  now  in 
exile  which  was  translated  to  us.  "Is  it  true  that  the 
Quakers  are  striving  to  get  our  release  from  here  ?  May 
the  Lord  direct  their  steps  that  we  may  get  to  you  and 
worship  our  Heavenly  Father  with  you,  and  so  we  wish 
the  Lord  to  help,  that  we  may  be  with  our  mother  and 
see  you  all.  We  send  our  best  messages  to  our  friends 
the  Quakers  for  their  Christianity  and  love  in  their 
hearts."    The  reading  of  this  letter  was  a  good  beginning 


Age  70      DIARY  AND   CORRESPONDENCE  417 

for  our  meeting  which  proved  before  it  closed,  to  be  (in 
my  view)  the  crowning  meeting  thus  far  on  our  trip. 
J.  E.  R.  spoke  of  the  high  and  holy  calling  unto  which 
they  were  called  to  suffer  with  those  who  were  dear  to 
them  for  their  Lord  and  Saviour  who  was  afflicted  with 
their  affliction.  I  expressed  my  exercise  and  the  oppor- 
tunity closed  with  a  remarkable  prayer  by  J.  E.  R. 

Seventh  month  ij.  We  reached  Yorkton  after  visiting 
the  villages  in  the  North  and  South  Colonies.  We  held 
forty-seven  meetings,  visited  five  or  six  hundred  houses, 
and  had  from  three  to  four  hundred  miles  riding  in 
twenty-two  days.  One  of  the  storekeepers  told  me,  which 
was  corroborated  by  agent  Crerar,  that  Senega  root  had 
been  brought  in  by  the  Doukhobors  to  the  value  of  six 
thousand  dollars. 

Seventh  month  23.  Left  Yorkton  on  the  18th  for 
Winnepeg,  where  we  took  the  train  for  Regina  and  have 
now  come  on  to  Saskatoon,  when  the  train  stops  long 
enough  to  enable  us  to  arrange  for  the  distribution  of 
some  goods  still  remaining  in  the  warehouse  here. 

Seventh  month  24.  At  the  cabin  of  the  mail  contractor 
where  we  have  arrived  after  a  twenty  miles  ride  from 
Sackatoon.  After  a  lunch  we  expect  to  start  out  to  visit 
the  Doukhobor  villages  in  this  district. 

Seventh  month  2g.  On  our  journey  to-day  in  crossing 
a  stream,  the  water  came  into  the  wagon  and  nearly  to 
the  top  of  our  boots,  soaking  the  provision  box  and 
baggage,  and  the  poor  horses  were  sorely  tested  before 


418  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1900 

they  were  on  the  opposite  bank.  On  reaching  the  village 
found  the  people  had  been  expecting  us  and  quite  a  com- 
pany gathered  to  meet  us.  A  little  building  had  been 
fitted  up  with  beds  and  a  table,  aiming  to  accommodate 
J.  E.  R.,  Frederick  and  myself  in  good  style.  On  open- 
ing our  valises  we  found  of  a  truth  they  were  not  water- 
proof, collars,  handkerchiefs  and  papers  fared  about 
alike;  not  a  collar  fit  to  put  on,  paper  boxes  "no  good" 
as  the  Doukhobors  said.  But  the  women  were  merciful 
and  seized  collars,  cuffs,  shirts,  towels,  etc.,  and  made  off 
with  them.  They  also  captured  the  valises  and  hung  them 
up  to  dry  in  the  sun.  Later  in  the  day  in  going  our 
rounds  we  came  across  a  house  where  one  good  woman 
was  doing  her  best  at  the  washtub  and  another  at  the 
ironing-table  for  our  benefit.  In  the  evening  meeting 
J.  E.  R.  spoke  of  having  been  in  all  the  villages  and  the 
desire  he  felt  for  their  preservation,  growth,  and  estab- 
lishment in  the  Truth,  putting  forth  plain  scriptural 
doctrines.  I  followed  and  said  this  was  likely  to  be  the 
last  company  of  Doukhobors  that  I  would  see  at  present; 
if  in  the  pleasure  of  our  Heavenly  Father  I  were  per- 
mitted to  have  more  personal  intercourse  with  them  all 
very  well,  but  there  came  a  time  when  it  was  well  to  have 
a  succession  of  workers.  If  permitted  to  reach  home  I 
expected  to  have  them  in  my  thoughts  and  wished  to 
have  a  place  in  theirs.  I  had  manifested  my  interest  by 
welcoming  them  on  arrival  on  this  continent;  and  the 
satisfaction  I  had  felt  in  soliciting  and  forwarding  goods 


Age  70      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  419 

for  the  purpose  of  their  getting  a  start  in  their  new 
homes  and  visiting  amongst  them  had  left  a  precious 
feeling  in  my  heart;  but  I  felt  they  had  yet  many  hard- 
ships to  encounter,  especially  on  account  of  the  trial  of 
separation  from  their  companions  in  exile,  but  as  it  was 
the  Lord  who  had  given  us  our  loved  ones,  if  He  thought 
them  worthy  to  sufifer  for  his  name's  sake,  or  to  be  em- 
ployed in  his  service,  it  was  an  honor  and  we  must  have 
faith  in  his  supporting  power,  as  the  righteous  would 
not  be  forsaken.  The  song  that  I  heard  as  the  first  ship 
approached  these  shores  about  eighteen  months  ago  com- 
menced with  "Our  God  is  with  us;  He  has  carried  us 
through,"  and  we  wanted  that  faith  to  believe  He  would 
carry  us  through  to  the  end.  It  was  an  impressive  occa- 
sion and  some  tears  were  shed. 

Seventh  month  50.  We  started  on  our  homeward 
journey  after  a  good  breakfast  which  was  served  with 
marked  hospitality  and  reached  Rosthern  making  between 
thirty-five  and  forty  miles  riding  for  the  day. 

Eighth  month  5.  Attended  a  meeting  held  in  Toronto 
by  appointment  for  Jonathan  E.  Rhoads,  and  what  he 
offered  in  supplication  I  thought  was  appropriate,  and  if 
we  should  live  to  see  all  that  might  be  implied  in  that 
petition  answered,  there  will  be  a  better  representation 
of  the  Truth  as  it  is  in  Christ  Jesus  than  we  now  see  in 
Toronto,  notwithstanding  all  that  is  apparently  being  done 
in  the  line  of  what  is  called  Christian  work.    Time,  talent 


420  JOSEPH   S.   EI.KINTON  1900 

and  money  seem  to  be  abundantly  expended  and  no  par- 
ticular holding  back  with  preaching  of  its  kind. 

Eighth  month  5.  J.  E.  R.  left  after  the  meeting  for 
Philadelphia,  but  I  remained  to  do  a  little  visiting  and 
then  proceed  to  Ottawa  to  report  to  head  officials. 

Eighth  month  10.  Left  Ottawa  for  Montreal  on  the 
8th  inst.,  where  I  remained  overnight  and  then  proceeded 
on  my  journey  homeward,  arriving  at  325  Pine  street 
about  4  this  A.  M. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

Service  Among  Doukhobors,   Continued. 

Eighth  month  23.  After  our  meeting  at  Arch  Street, 
I  went  to  the  Recreation  Pier  on  the  Delaware  River  and 
witnessed  the  landing  of  about  thirteen  hundred  Cuban 
School  Teachers  from  four  government  transports  that 
brought  them  from  Cuba.  They  have  been  visiting  col- 
leges and  other  places  of  interest.  They  made  a  very 
genteel  appearance  with  decided  marks  of  intelligence 
and  I  hope  their  visit  may  have  profitable  results. 

Tzvelfth  month  7.  During  the  past  few  days  sister 
Sarah's  condition  has  been  considered  very  critical.  I 
saw  her  a  few  minutes  this  morning  and  the  only  response 
she  made  to  my  greeting  was  "I  am  very  sick."  It  seemed 
to  me  a  very  serious  case. 

Tzvelfth  month  8.  Word  came  while  we  were  at  the 
breakfast  table  that  sister  Sarah  had  a  hard  night  and 
that  a  few  hours  would  close  the  scene,  which  came  to 
pass  about  9.30  A.  M. 

Twelfth  month  11.  Quite  a  number  of  relatives  and 
intimate  friends  gathered  at  1110  Pine  street,  before  we 
proceeded  to  Orange  Street  Meeting  House  where  the 
funeral  was  held. 

While  away  from  home  during  the  early  summer  our 
sister  Sarah  Bedell  was  released  from  her  suffering  in 
this  world. 

421 


422  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1901 

First  month  21,  igoi.  This  was  the  day  for  holding 
our  Preparative  fleeting  for  Ministers  and  Elders.  Three 
months  ago  my  sister  Sarah  E.  Smith  and  I  sat  side  by 
side  as  we  faced  the  clerk  and  enjoyed  the  nearness  of 
spirit  felt  on  that  occasion,  which  was  precious  to  me. 
To-day  her  seat  was  vacant,  but  we  trust  she  has  now  a 
place  in  the  angelic  company  of  those  who  are  in  the 
Kingdom  of  everlasting  rest  and  peace. 

Fourth  month  4.  This  day  my  dear  wife  completed  her 
sixty-fifth  year  and  I,  my  seventy-first  year.  We  are  now 
in  the  forty-fifth  year  of  our  married  life  and  have  had 
our  vicissitudes  in  meeting  the  issues  of  life,  some  of  them 
very  grave,  but  have  cause  to  commemorate  the  goodness 
and  mercy  of  our  Heavenly  Father.  May  his  mercy  and 
compassion  still  be  extended  and  we  be  made  to  experi- 
ence, that  his  grace  is  sufficient  for  us  unto  the  end  of 
our  days. 

Fifth  month  15.  In  company  with  Philip  Bellows  met 
the  "Oceanic"  on  its  arrival  at  the  dock.  It  was  not  long 
before  Philip  Bellows  caught  sight  of  his  parents,  John 
and  Elizabeth  Bellows,  and  after  the  examination  of  their 
baggage  we  proceeded  to  Brooklyn  where  they  went  to 
lodge  over  night  with  some  of  their  friends. 

Fifth  month  16.  After  spending  most  of  the  day  in 
New  York,  we  took  train  for  Philadelphia  and  arrived 
at  "325"  in  time  for  tea. 

Sixth  month  5.  During  the  past  two  weeks  John  and 
Elizabeth  Bellows  have  had  a  round  of  visiting,  during 


Age  71      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  423 

which  time  John  Bellows  has  had  several  attacks  like  the 
one  he  had  the  first  night  at  "325"  which  was  rather 
alarming,  so  it  has  been  decided  that  it  is  not  prudent  for 
him  to  undertake  a  trip  to  the  Doukhobors  which  had 
been  anticipated  when  he  came  to  this  country. 

Seventh  month  i8.  The  past  week  has  been  marked 
with  history  closely  affecting  our  family.  On  Third-day 
last  our  dear  brother  Thomas  seemed  again  to  succumb 
to  the  heat.  Upon  his  return  home  from  Parvin  Master's 
funeral  he  rested  a  while  on  the  lounge,  but  when  he 
undertook  to  get  up  he  found  his  limbs  were  affected  so 
that  he  could  hardly  walk.  Two  doctors  consulted  over 
the  case  and  attributed  it  to  something  deeper  than  the 
weather.  When  I  saw  him  on  Fifth-day,  he  had  im- 
proved somewhat  in  his  ability  to  walk,  seemed  quite 
cheerful  and  was  free  from  pain  which  I  thought  a  great 
favor. 

Seventh  month  24.  Went  to  New  York  with  Philip 
Bellows  early  this  A.  M.  and  went  to  the  dock  of  the 
steamer  "Oceanic"  where  we  met  John  and  Elizabeth 
Bellows  and  had  an  hour  with  them  before  they  sailed. 
They  expressed  their  appreciation  of  my  coming  to  see 
them  off  and  it  was  a  feeling  parting.  Their  expression 
of  giving  me  a  welcome  should  I  ever  again  go  to  England 
I  felt  to  be  sincere ;  but  the  uncertainty  of  our  ever  seeing 
each  other  again  in  this  world  had  a  place  in  our  thoughts 
in  our  farewell  moments.  As  the  noble  ship  moved  out 
of  sight  the  feeling  that  the  "Lord  loveth  his  people"  cov- 


424  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1901 

ered  my  mind  which  encouraged  me  to  believe  they  would 
be  cared  for  over  the  great  deep. 

Seventh  month  25.  At  a  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends  of  Phila- 
delphia, held   Seventh  month  25th,  1901 : 

Our  friend  Joseph  S.  Elkinton  laid  before  this  meeting  a 
prospect  of  religious  service  in  the  counties  of  Warren,  Essex 
and  Morris  in  the  State  of  New  Jersey,  and  in  Duchess  county, 
New  York,  particularly  the  appointment  of  one  or  more  public 
meetings  in  the  county-towns  of  those  counties. 

This  prospect  claiming  our  deliberate  consideration  was  united 
with,  and  he  is  liberated  and  encouraged  to  enter  upon  and 
pursue  it  as  best  wisdom  may  direct,  he  being  a  minister  in 
unity  with  us.  A  copy  of  this  minute  is  directed  to  be  fur- 
nished him. 

Signed  on  our  behalf.     Taken  from  the  Minutes. 

George  J.  Scattergood, 
Rachel  S.  Maris, 

Clerks  for  the  day. 
Ephraim  Smith,  Correspondent. 

Seventh  month  jo.  Brother  Thomas  was  in  at  the 
office  this  morning  and  I  had  an  interview  with  him 
which  I  esteem  as  very  precious ;  he  seeming  calm  and 
composed  and  inclined  to  converse  in  a  manner  that  I 
felt  should  it  prove  the  last  opportunity  for  such  a  con- 
versation, it  would  be  sweet  to  look  back  upon.  His  wife 
is  more  poorly  and  he  realizes  the  situation  that  they  both 
are  in  a  very  precarious  condition,  not  knowing  which 
may  be  taken  first. 

Eighth  month  10.  Left  home  for  ]\Iorristown,  New 
Jersey,  to  make  arrangements  for  some  appointed  meet- 
ings for  Jonathan  E.  Rhoads  and  myself  in  northern  New 
Jersey. 


Age  71      DIARY  AND   CORRESPONDENCE  425 

King  David  had  his  heart  enlarged  over  Lebanon  and 
the  mountains  round  about  Jerusalem,  but  the  handiwork 
of  the  Creator  is  manifest  in  this  part  of  his  dominion 
and  He  has  also  dominions  not  exactly  bounded  by  the 
mountains,  hills  and  valleys,  which  He  has  created  to  be 
everlasting.  This  is  a  beautiful  country  and  the  Jersey 
people  feel  they  have  scenery  not  to  be  excelled  in  many 
places.  I  was  advised  to  see  the  Mayor  and  he  not  being 
at  his  office  I  went  to  his  residence.  The  Mayor  on  com- 
ing into  the  room  addressed  me  by  name  and  behold  it 
was  Norman  Fox,  a  deeply  religious  writer,  whom  I  had 
met  in  my  visit,  or  at  a  meeting  here  three  years  ago.  I 
did  not  know  that  such  men  as  he  would  be  chosen  for 
public  offices;  but  it  appears  that  the  Republican  party 
was  at  a  loss  to  find  a  man  for  the  position  and  they 
telephoned  to  know  if  he  would  accept  the  position ;  he 
answered  "Yes."  Although  he  had  not  belonged  to  their 
party,  he  was  elected.  Religion  is  the  true  foundation 
for  either  the  building  or  maintaining  a  good  character 
and  we  will  hope  that  Mayor  Fox  may  hold  fast  that 
which  he  has  received  of  the  best  life. 

On  showing  him  my  certificate,  he  said  "This  is  provi- 
dential, I  was  about  to  send  for  a  minister  to  come  to- 
morrow morning  where  I  shall  be  in  charge,  now  I  will 
not  do  it.  And  if  the  Lord  gives  you  a  message  for  us 
we  want  it."  He  seemed  conversant  on  Friends'  princi- 
ples and  was  an  admirer  of  George  Fox,  also  Stephen 
Grellet,  having  read  their  Journals.     I  felt  satisfied  to 


426  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1901 

tell  him  that  when  he  considered  himself  through  I  would 
be  open  to  have  an  opportunity,  and  would  be  timely  at 
the  appointed  place. 

Eighth  month  11.  About  10.30  A.  M.  Norman  Fox 
opened  the  exercises  in  their  Meeting  House  and  read 
the  97th  Psalm  with  the  congregation  verse  by  verse, 
after  which  he  made  an  offering  in  prayer.  He  evi- 
dently felt  his  situation  as  a  public  man  and  he  wanted 
the  community  embued  with  a  right  spirit  that  the  bless- 
ing of  the  Lord  might  rest  upon  them.  He  then  intro- 
duced me  in  such  a  way  that  I  believed  his  secret  prayer 
was  that  I,  with  the  rest,  should  be  favored  with  the 
Divine  presence  and  support.  I  could  say  it  was  a  privi- 
lege to  be  where  the  spirit  of  worship  was  felt.  I  was 
reverently  thankful  that  the  trend  of  thought  had  been  in 
the  line  of  acknowledgment  of  the  majesty  of  the  King 
of  Heaven  and  desiring  help  and  strength  from  Him; 
and  it  was  that  Light  that  was  with  him  in  the  beginning 
and  manifested  to  us  by  Jesus  Christ,  that  gave  us  a 
sense  of  his  majesty,  and  unfolded  to  us  the  Divine  will 
concerning  us  and  the  principles  of  the  everlasting  Truth. 
George  Fox  said,  "Mind  the  Light."  William  Penn  said, 
"It  was  God's  gift  to  man." 

Eighth  month  14.  At  Belvidere  I  was  told  it  would  be 
well  to  meet  the  Freeholders  about  one  o'clock  at  which 
time  I  made  my  way  to  the  Court  House.  After  the 
Freeholders  had  answered  the  roll  call  I  was  requested 
to  state  my  wishes,  which  being  done  it  was  put  to  vote, 


Age  71      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  427 

and  it  was  granted  that  Jonathan  E.  Rhoads  and  I  should 
have  the  free  use  of  the  Court  House  to  hold  a  religious 
meeting.  I  felt  well  paid  for  waiting  as  it  gave  me  an 
opportunity  to  meet  the  representatives  of  the  county. 

Eighth  month  //.  Proceeded  to  Duchess  County,  New 
York,  to  pursue  my  religious  service  in  that  vicinity ;  and 
then  return  to  northern  New  Jersey  to  join  Jonathan  E. 
Rhoads  in  our  appointments  there. 

Ninth  month  i.  Again  in  Alorristown,  New  Jersey,  this 
time  in  company  with  Jonathan  E.  Rhoads.  This  after- 
noon we  went  to  the  meeting  appointed  for  us,  with  the 
inmates  of  the  Almshouse  which  was  a  very  satisfactory 
one.  After  taking  our  seats  Bibles  and  Hymn  Books 
were  handed  us  which  J.  E.  R.  took  and  piled  beside  his 
chair,  and  after  a  little  time  he  opened  out  in  a  way  that 
gave  evidence  that  we  in  nowise  lightly  esteemed  the 
scriptures.  We  each  had  our  opportunity  to  express  our 
interest  in  the  household,  both  in  testimony  and  supplica- 
tion, alluding  to  those  who  were  there  because  of  what 
was  out  of  their  power  to  avert,  or  because  of  not  having 
improved  their  providences  and  opportunities;  but  it 
would  be  wise  to  think  of  the  mercy  and  compassion  of 
our  Heavenly  Father,  that  the  tokens  of  his  love  and 
regard  might  yet  be  mercifully  afforded  for  the  sake  of 
the  never  dying  soul  and  for  the  sake  of  him  who  gave 
himself  for  us  so  that  we  might  have  peace  w4th  our 
Maker. 

Ninth  month  5.     Forty-five  years  ago  at  Somerton, 


428  JOSEPH   S.  ELKINTON  1901 

Ohio,  a  very  pale  faced  man  provided  himself  with  a 
helpmeet,  and  during  the  subsequent  years,  with  the 
attendant  experiences,  mercy  has  been  extended  and 
cause  for  commemorating  the  goodness  and  loving  kind- 
ness of  our  Heavenly  Father;  we  should  say  the  Lord  is 
good  and  that  our  souls  know  right  well. 

Ninth  month  6.  At  Belvidere,  in  the  course  of  con- 
versation a  man  asked  J.  E.  R.  whether  persons  of  very 
limited  education  could  apprehend  sacred  things.  J.  E.  R. 
replied  that  they  could  have  an  apprehension ;  they  might 
not  succeed  in  expressing  it  with  the  same  clearness  as  if 
they  had  a  good  knowledge  of  the  language ;  but  he 
thought  much  more  depended  on  a  man's  nearness  to  his 
Maker  as  to  how  his  spiritual  faculties  were  developed 
than  on  his  training  or  education.  Some  of  the  Apostles 
were  rated  as  unlearned  and  ignorant  men  but  it  was 
given  them  to  see  somewhat  of  the  mysteries  of  the 
kingdom. 

Ninth  month  7.  Returned  to  our  home  at  Malvern  and 
found  my  M.  in  fair  health ;  we  have  our  trials  and  beset- 
ments,  but  many  favors  and  evidence  of  Divine  favor  and 
support. 

Ninth  month  11.  Our  nation  has  been  in  great  affliction 
on  account  of  the  precarious  condition  of  President  Mc- 
Kinley  and  no  doubt  many  have  been  engaged  in  prayer 
for  his  recovery,  but  secret  things  belong  to  the  Lord. 

Ninth  month  14.  The  tolling  of  the  bells  in  the  early 
morning  and  subsequent  information  have  brought  us  to 


Age  71      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  429 

know  that  the  murderous  assault  upon  the  President  has 
proved  fatal  and  his  valuable  life  is  closed,  to  the  great 
grief  of  the  nation  for  the  loss  of  one  of  the  best  Presi- 
dents the  country  has  had. 

Ninth  month  2/.  Brother  Thomas  had  a  very  serious 
attack  last  evening  and  a  distressing  night.  I  went  out 
this  afternoon  and  it  was  indeed  a  sick  house.  Sister 
Rebecca  sent  me  word  she  could  not  see  me,  but  they 
wanted  my  prayers  which  was  touching. 

Philadelphia,  Ninth  month,  1901. 
To  the  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends  of  Philadelphia. 

Dear  Friends  :  I  herewith  return  the  minute  granted 
me  in  the  Seventh  month  last.  In  the  pursuance  of  the 
concern  mentioned  therein  I  attended  nine  meetings  in 
Duchess  County,  New  York,  the  appointments  for  which 
were  entered  into  with  interest  by  those  residing  in  the 
different  neighborhoods.     .     .    . 

Jonathan  E.  Rhoads  joined  me  in  holding  public  meet- 
ings and  visiting  some  institutions  in  the  northern  part 
of  New  Jersey  where  we  had  not  been  before,  whose 
company  was  very  grateful  to  me.  Ten  religious  gather- 
ings were  attended  in  those  parts,  and  in  the  different 
places  visited,  we  met  with  those  who  showed  a  hearty 
interest  in  the  work.     .     .    . 

Joseph  S.  Elkinton. 

Ninth  month  2Q.  On  being  notified  early  this  morning 
that  brother  Thomas  was  very  low,  I  took  7.55  train  for 
Media,  accompanied  by  Ephraim  Smith,  who  had  just 


430  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  iQoi 

returned  from  Ohio.  When  we  arrived  at  Media  about 
8.30  were  met  by  son  Joseph  who  informed  us  that  his 
uncle  passed  away  at  twenty  minutes  past  8  o'clock. 

Tenth  month  2.  We  had  a  little  family  gathering  at  the 
Media  house  before  leaving  for  the  funeral  to  be  held  in 
the  Meeting  House  in  Philadelphia.  Sister  Rebecca  came 
downstairs  and  sat  with  us.  In  the  little  time  I  was  with 
her  prior  to  our  gathering,  I  said  to  her  that  I  felt  it  was 
too  deep  a  time  for  words  and  about  all  I  could  say  was, 
the  God  of  all  grace,  sanctify  thee  wholly,  and  in  his  hand 
and  keeping  we  must  leave  thee.  The  funeral  at  the 
Meeting  House  was  a  large  one,  about  four  hundred  being 
present  and  about  twenty  of  our  ministers. 

Eleventh  month  2p.  My  sister-in-law  Rebecca  S. 
Elkinton,  widow  of  brother  Thomas  Elkinton,  passed 
from  time  to  eternity  almost  to  the  minute,  two  months 
after  her  husband. 

Tzvelfth  month  20.  In  our  Meeting  for  Sufiferings  we 
had  an  interesting  report  from  the  Committee  that  had 
been  appointed  to  present  an  Address  to  President  Roose- 
velt, to  the  import  that  they  were  courteously  received 
and  the  President  read  the  Address  aloud,  standing  with 
the  others,  and  emphasized  particular  parts  that  seemed 
to  impress  him.  As  he  folded  it  up  he  said  it  was  a 
sweet  message  and  he  thanked  the  Friends  who  presented 
it  and  those  who  sent  them. 

Third  month  2^,  ipo2.  Peter  Jansen,  who  has  lately 
returned  from  a  visit  to  Russia,  on  hearing  of  the  situa- 


Age  72      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  431 

tion  of  the  Doukhobor  land  question,  wrote  that  if  our 
Committee  would  send  out  a  deputation  he  would  accom- 
pany them  through  the  colonies  and  interpret  for  them. 
Our  Committee  has  prepared  an  Address  to  the  Douk- 
hobors  encouraging  them  to  comply  with  the  laws  of  the 
Canadian  Government  in  regard  to  taking  up  their  home- 
steads and  the  registration  of  their  marriages,  births  and 
deaths.  All  the  members  of  the  Committee  expressing 
their  approval  of  my  going  out  among  the  Doukhobors  to 
present  the  Address,  it  was  decided  that  I  should  start 
on  the  20th. 

Third  month  28.  Have  taken  train  and  started  on  my 
journey,  going  by  way  of  Salem,  Ohio,  where  I  hope  to 
be  joined  by  Dillwyn  Stratton  and  later  by  Peter  Jansen. 
Attended  meeting  at  Winona  on  First-day  and  whilst  I 
was  speaking  there  came  a  tremendous  downpour  of 
either  hail  or  rain  with  seeming  darkness.  Someone 
afterward  remarked  it  did  not  seem  to  disturb  me;  it 
does  not  do  to  be  disturbed  when  speaking  in  meetings, 
but  the  thought  came  before  me,  come  what  may  let  me 
be  at  my  post. 

Third  month  31.  As  Dillwyn  Stratton  needed  a  few 
days  to  make  arrangements  for  leaving  home  it  was 
agreed  that  he  should  leave  his  home  for  Chicago  on 
Fourth-day  morning  and  I  would  meet  him  on  arrival. 
I  took  train  for  Canton  and  on  arrival  engaged  a  carriage 
and  proceeded  to  the  residence  of  the  late  President 
McKinley  and  was  shown  into  the  reception  room.    I  was 


432  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1902 

informed  that  visitors  were  not  received  by  the  widow, 
but  my  card  was  taken  and  admission  was  granted  me, 
into  the  parlor  where  I  found  the  widow  with  some  knit- 
ting in  her  lap.  It  was  sometime  before  silence  was 
broken  and  some  tears  were  shed.  After  awhile  she  was 
able  to  bear  evidence  to  the  faithfulness  and  devotion  of 
her  husband  and  thought  no  one  had  done  more  for  his 
country,  which  I  did  not  gainsay.  During  our  conversa- 
tion she  told  me  more  of  her  history  and  that  of  her 
husband  than  I  can  well  relate.  She  asked  me  if  my  wife 
was  an  invalid;  I  answered  "Yes."  Then  she  wanted  to 
know  if  she  wore  slippers,  whereupon  she  gave  me  a  pair 
that  she  had  made,  as  a  little  token  of  remembrance  to 
my  wife.  From  Canton  I  went  to  Masillon  and  on  to 
Anderson  and  visited  our  silicate  works  there. 

Fourth  month  2.  Met  Dillwyn  Stratton  in  Chicago 
and  have  taken  train  and  sleeping  berths  for  Ohama  to 
meet  Peter  Jansen. 

Fourth  month  5.  We  were  entertained  at  Peter 
Jansen' s  home  where  he  showed  me  his  scrap-book  con- 
taining correspondence  with  President  McKinley,  which 
included  an  invitation  to  dine  with  him  and  his  wife,  also 
a  speech  of  Peter  Jansen  given  about  the  time  of  his 
funeral  from  which  the  following  is  an  extract,  viz. : 
"Then  came  the  time  of  war  and  strife  which  taxed  the 
strength  of  his  character  and  the  mettle  of  his  statesman- 
ship to  the  utmost.  He  was  a  man  of  peace  and  abhorred 
the  shedding-  of  blood,  and  as  he  told  me  himself,  until  the 


Age  72     DIARY  AND   CORRESPONDENCE  433 

Maine  was  destroyed,  he  never  thought  but  that  war  could 
be  avoided.  In  fact  he  told  me,  that  had  he  been  given 
two  more  weeks,  Cuba  would  have  been  liberated  without 
a  bloody  conflict."  "During  those  days  when  the  ques- 
tion of  peace  or  war  hung  in  the  balance  Senator  Bur- 
roughs, of  Michigan,  visited  the  President  and  found  him 
very  much  agitated,  and  grasping  the  Senator's  hands 
with  tears  in  his  eyes,  he  exclaimed:  'Oh!  Senator,  help 
me  to  avoid  war;  think  of  the  terrible  suffering  and  blood- 
shed it  will  cause.'  " 

Fourth  month  6.  We  have  arrived  at  Winnipeg  where 
a  few  days  will  be  spent  in  interviews  with  officials  and 
reading  the  official  reports  concerning  the  Doukhobors 
before  starting  out  for  their  colonies. 

Fourth  month  lo.  Arrived  at  Yorkton  at  9.30  last 
evening.  We  were  waited  upon  by  a  deputation  of  Douk- 
hobors this  morning,  and  they  spoke  of  their  reluctance 
and  almost  refusal  to  register  births,  deaths  and  mar- 
riages. I  told  them,  I  had  no  objection  to  telling  the 
names  of  myself,  wife  and  children,  and  when  they  were 
born;  it  was  only  right  that  a  record  of  those  things 
should  be  kept  and  I  thought  it  would  be  to  their  advan- 
tage to  act  peaceably  with  their  brethren  and  friends. 
Left  Yorkton  about  twelve  o'clock  and  after  pulling 
through  many  waters,  a  halt  was  made  at  the  house  of 
a  man  whom  William  Evans  told  when  I  was  first  at  his 
house  that  he  had  better  get  a  wife,  which  had  been  acted 
upon  about  fifteen  months  ago.    There  was  such  a  change 


434  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1902 

in  the  general  appearance  of  the  husband  and  for  the 
better,  that  he  might  well  believe  "That  he  that  hath  a 
good  wife  hath  a  good  thing." 

We  found  the  waters  not  quite  so  high  as  we  journeyed 
on  and  we  reached  Terpenie  about  10  P.  M.  We  had 
some  kindly  salutations  by  the  way  from  Doukhobors 
going  to  Yorkton  on  business;  some  of  the  wagons 
seemed  to  have  young  families  on  top  of  the  merchandise. 
From  the  top  of  one  wagon  came  the  sound,  "The 
children  will  be  glad  to  see  you,  Grandfather." 

Fourth  month  12.  In  one  village,  after  supper  we  had 
quite  a  business  meeting,  there  being  representatives  from 
seven  villages.  After  our  Address  was  read  one  man 
requested  the  loan  of  it,  saying  he  would  like  to  take  a 
copy,  which  was  granted.  Some  of  them  seemed  sadly 
behind  the  times  in  their  views  of  the  needs  of  a  civil  gov- 
ernment, saying  that  the  Lord  would  give  them  a  heritage 
free  from  the  government  of  man.  All  of  which  we  will 
doubtless  get  if  we  fulfill  our  duties  aright  whilst  in  this 
state  of  being,  but  not  without  some  sense  that  we  owe 
the  world  about  as  much  as  the  world  owes  us,  and  that 
we  are  not  likely  to  get  a  great  deal  for  nothing.  They 
could  not  however  refrain  from  expressing  their  gratitude 
for  what  Friends  had  done  for  them,  and  said  they  and 
their  children  had  a  love  for  me. 

Fourth  month  ij.  Dilhvyn  Stratton  feeling  that  he 
could  not  be  away  from  home  longer  at  this  time,  it  was 
decided  that  we  return  to  Yorkton  together,  he  going  on 


Age  72      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  435 

home  and  I  going  over  to  the  Saskatoon  District,  doing 
what  I  can  until  the  1st  of  next  month  when  the  North 
Colony  would  be  in  better  condition  for  travelling  than 
at  present.  Peter  Jansen  had  also  been  obliged  to  go 
home  to  meet  pressing  engagements. 

Fourth  month  24.  Arrived  at  Swan  River  at  1  A.  M. 
and  was  met  by  Hugh  Harley  who  has  promised  teams 
and  outfit  for  starting  out  for  the  nearest  village  about 
noon ;  he  expects  to  accompany  me.  We  started  out  about 
one  o'clock  and  the  road  we  have  travelled  had  the  aspect 
of  being  a  new  road  so  far  as  rough  travelling  in  the  bush 
is  concerned,  for  it  is  mud,  mire,  chuck-holes  and  swamps. 
I  was  instructed  to  hold  fast  to  my  seat  which  I  was  not 
slow  to  act  upon,  but  of  all  the  roads  I  could  only  think 
of  "worse,  worser,  worsest."  The  first  sign  of  recog- 
nition on  approaching  the  village  was  the  graveyard 
which  I  was  glad  to  see  much  better  enclosed  than  when 
I  had  previously  seen  it  and  I  felt  quite  satisfied  with  the 
little  investment  I  had  made  for  the  purpose.  When  the 
people  of  the  village  were  collected,  I  introduced  the 
object  of  my  errand  and  the  Address  of  the  Committee 
was  read.  There  was  an  expression  of  thanks  and  when 
an  explanation  was  made  of  what  would  result  if  they 
would  enter  their  names  for  their  homesteads,  it  was 
favorably  received  and  they  agreed  to  send  delegates  to 
the  other  villages  to  lay  the  matter  before  them  and  agree 
upon  an  answer  to  the  agent  Hugh  Harley.  Hugh  Harley, 
our  driver  and  myself  had  a  little  room  to  ourselves  with 


436  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1902 

a  small  stove,  writing-table  and  a  lamp.  There  was  a 
good  sized  bed  and  another  was  made  by  bringing  in  a 
couple  of  benches  and  fitting  them  out.  The  holding  of 
business  or  religious  meetings,  calling  at  forty  or  more 
houses  and  conversing  with  those  who  desire  to  speak  on 
subjects  concerning  their  people,  with  what  travelling  is 
necessary  to  be  done,  makes  one  feel  ready  to  retire  at 
night  without  much  thought  of  the  surroundings. 

Fourth  month  sj.  To-day  we  had  a  good  old-time 
Doukhobor  meeting.  Hugh  Harley  told  them  that  what 
he  had  heard  in  the  Doukhobor  services  had  been  good 
to  his  soul  and  the  exercises  of  the  Friend  that  he  was 
accompanying  had  been  great  on  their  behalf  and  he 
desired  that  a  blessing  might  rest  upon  him  and  his 
people. 

The  day  closed  as  one  of  favor,  not  having  forgotten 
that  it  was  the  day  that  fulfilled  my  seventy-second  year 
and  the  sixty-sixth  for  my  dear  wife. 

Fourth  month  28.  In  the  gathering  of  men  and  women 
in  one  of  the  villages  to-day,  a  woman  aged  about  sixty- 
four  made  a  touching  speech  in  which  she  said,  when 
they  landed  on  the  prairie  they  had  no  food  and  I  sent 
them  corn  and  when  they  had  nothing  to  draw  with,  I  sent 
them  oxen  and  cows,  etc.  I  have  had  many  marks  of 
affection  shown  me,  but  if  I  know  my  own  heart  I  wished 
to  be  honestly  concerned  to  give  the  Lord  the  glory  of 
his  own  works  and  on  the  approach  of  dissolution  to  be 
clear  of  the  charge  of  taking  to  myself  that  which  belongs 


Age  72     DIARY   AND    CORRESPONDENCE         437 

to  the  Lord ;  for  whatever  good  may  be  done  through  his 
instruments  the  power  is  of  him.  Whoever  may  plant  or 
water  it  is  He  who  giveth  the  increase. 

Fifth  month  2.  Dear  grandmother  Verigin  received 
me  yesterday  with  a  warm  heart;  she  has  a  nicely  fur- 
nished room,  with  a  boarded  floor  covered  with  oilcloth. 
One  of  her  grandsons  can  speak  pretty  good  English. 

In  one  of  the  houses  visited  I  found  a  woman  with  a 
broken  limb.  I  had  much  sympathy  for  her  for  I  felt 
she  needed  a  physician,  but  as  my  money  was  diminishing 
and  thinking  it  was  the  business  of  her  friend  to  look 
after  her  I  passed  on  without  leaving  anything,  which 
did  not  rest  very  comfortably  with  me.  We  started  out 
to  the  next  village  and  although  the  road  we  took  was 
pronounced  good,  there  was  no  desire  on  our  part  to  see 
a  worse  one.  In  a  slough  the  nigh  horse,  Duly,  went 
down  and  acted  as  if  he  did  not  wish  to  get  up  again,  but 
with  our  help  in  lifting  and  pushing  Duly  and  Charley 
got  the  conveyance  out  and  after  the  broken  harness  was 
tied  with  some  rope,  travelled  on  our  way  until  our  driver 
lost  his  faith  and  thought  we  had  taken  the  wrong  road 
and  that  we  ought  to  go  back  to  the  fork  and  take  the 
other,  which  we  did.  Finally  my  companion  said  he 
thought  we  had  better  go  back  to  the  village  we  started 
from,  for  he  did  not  want  us  to  be  out  on  the  prairie  all 
night.  He  wanted  to  know  how  I  felt.  I  replied,  "I  feel 
quiet."  It  was  now  about  8  P.  M.  and  raining,  the 
prospect  of  seeing  our  way  back  was  not  very  encour- 


438  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i902 

aging.  But  we  got  around  the  deep  sloughs  and  on  the 
trail  and  had  a  little  trot  for  awhile,  when  thick  darkness 
descended  upon  us  so  that  we  could  see  neither  trail  nor 
horses.  Whether  we  were  on  the  road  or  ploughed 
ground  was  hard  to  tell.  ^ly  companion  tramped  about 
to  feel  the  ground  and  when  he  thought  it  safe  would 
call  to  the  driver  to  follow ;  he  would  have  to  traverse 
back  and  forth  and  find  us  by  the  sound  of  our  voices. 
My  match-box  was  in  demand  with  a  little  lighted  paper, 
but  as  it  was  raining  there  was  a  limit  to  that  convenience. 
Finally  Earnest  took  hold  of  one  of  the  horses  and  tried 
leading  them  and  we  proved  to  be  on  the  trail,  passing 
over  one  bridge  without  knowing  it,  and  at  the  second  we 
caught  a  glimmer  of  the  water  and  I  was  soon  out  of  the 
buggy  for  I  thought  if  I  went  off  the  bridge  it  might  be 
worse  for  us.  I  walked  behind  the  buggy  with  my  hand 
on  it  until  we  were  over  and  I  judge  that  Earnest  led  the 
horses  two  or  three  miles  farther  when  I  called  out :  "A 
straw  stack,  a  village,  stop  at  the  first  house."  But  he 
had  a  time  of  it  getting  there  and  rousing  the  people ; 
presently  a  lantern  appeared  from  the  second  house  and 
we  headed  for  it  and  willing  horses  were  soon  within  the 
gate-posts  and  when  we  were  inside  the  house  it  was 
recognized  as  the  one  we  left  at  5  o'clock  and  it  was  now 
by  my  watch  1.12  A.  M.  I  felt  it  was  a  mercy  the  dark- 
ness lifted  enough  for  us  to  see  a  village.  At  the  first 
house  in  response  to  our  inquiry  "No  man  about,  no 
room."     Indians  are  in  the  way  of  calling  in  the  night 


Age  72      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  439 

and  they  have  no  room  for  the  Indians.  I  was  not  long 
in  taking  off  my  coat  and  boots  and  laying  down  on  the 
bed  prepared  for  me  and  when  I  awoke  in  the  morning,  I 
found  the  occupants  of  the  room  consisted  of  four  men 
and  three  women  on  beds  and  benches  in  different  parts 
of  the  room,  also  two  children,  a  cat  and  a  dog.  Whilst 
we  were  trying  to  find  our  way  in  the  dark  I  said  in  my 
heart,  if  the  Lord  permitted  us  to  get  back  where  we 
started  from  the  woman  that  had  the  broken  leg  should 
surely  have  five  dollars.  This  was  sent  to  her  and  before 
leaving  the  village  I  received  a  touching  letter  in  acknowl- 
edgment as  follows : 

"It  was  not  without  tears  that  I  received  from  you  (5) 
five  dollars.  Your  kindness  is  very  dear  to  me,  dear 
grandfather,  in  time  of  our  poverty.  May  the  Lord  save 
thee  in  this  life  and  may  he  not  keep  from  thee  the  King- 
dom of  Heaven.  All  our  family  thank  you,  may  the 
Lord  save  you  all.  Polia  Chursinova. 

Fifth  month  I2.  Arrived  at  Yorkton  last  evening  about 
nine  hours  after  leaving  the  last  Doukhobor  village  and 
felt  very  grateful  that  we  had  not  been  left  in  the  dark. 

Visited  James  Crerar  and  learned  from  him  that  he 
had  been  instructed  not  to  enter  any  homesteads  on  the 
Doukhobor  reserves  until  further  notice.  I  felt  that  was 
a  point  gained  and  being  told  that  my  visit  through  the 
colonies  had  had  a  good  influence  I  ought  to  feel  paid 
that  I  was  counted  worthy  to  endure  all  that  I  had  passed 
through. 


440  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i902 

Fifth  month  ly.     Before  leaving  Duck  Lake  to-day  I 
took  the  precaution  to  purchase  an  ax  and  some  rope  and 
with  a  goodly  supply  of  provisions  started  out  with  a 
rather  fearful  heart.     Reached  the  village  Spasofka  and 
was  given  a  good  welcome  by  the  villagers  who  quickly 
collected.      The   Address   was    read   and    some   printed 
copies  given  to  those  who  could  read  them.    Ivan  Prepel- 
koff  was  the  chief  speaker.     He  said  they  had  a  letter 
from  the  Yorkton  brethren  who  told  them  that  grand- 
father had  been  there  but  had  said  nothing  about  the 
men  letting  their  horses  have  their  liberty  and  they  doing 
the  work  themselves.    I  replied  that  they  might  write  and 
tell  them  that  grandfather  did  not  come  to  find  fault,  but 
he  would  like  them  to  take  hold  of  the  plough-handles 
and  let  the  horse  do  the  ploughing,  that  was  what  the 
horse  were  given  us  for,  and  ask  them  how  could  I  have 
visited  them  without  horses  ?    God  had  given  us  dominion 
over  the  beast  of  the  field,  and  the  patriarchs  had  their 
horses  and  flocks,  and  the  Saviour  rode  on  a  colt  and  ate 
fish  with  the  Disciples.    I.  P.  went  on  to  say  how  he  felt 
about  eating  meat  and  he  did  not  want  to  kill  a  lamb.    I 
told  him  I  did  not  kill  the  cattle  but  I  eat  meat  and  let 
my  sons  work  up  one  or  two  thousand  pounds  of  tallow 
in  a  day  for  soap,  and  they  (the  Doukhobors)  had  leather 
and   sheep-skins    for   boots    and   coats,   whereupon   the 
whole  company  of  women  stood  up  to  thank  me  for  the 
soap  that  was  sent  them.    I  was  then  told  that  the  children 
loved  me.     I  said :    "Well,  let  some  one  go  out  and  tell 


Age  72      DIARY   AND  CORRESPONDENCE  441 

them  Grandfather  wants  to  see  them."  A  whole  troop 
of  them  gathered  outside  and  I  went  out  and  took  each 
by  the  hand  and  had  a  very  nice  parting  and  religious 
opportunity  with  the  children  and  their  parents.  Ivan 
Prepelkoff  had  love  enough  for  me  to  get  in  our  wagon 
and  ride  several  miles  with  us  and  kissed  me  twice  on 
parting.  I  remarked  that  they  had  prospered  greatly 
since  my  last  visit;  so  nearly  rebuilt  that  I  could  hardly 
recognize  the  village;  eighty  cows,  and  enough  more 
cattle  to  number  over  a  hundred,  fifty-six  work  horses, 
and  so  many  potatoes  that  they  had  been  giving  some  to 
the  cattle. 

Fifth  month  i8.  After  reading  the  Address  in  one  of 
the  villages  there  was  the  usual  expression  of  thanks, 
then  came  the  remark:  "We  are  all  taking  up  home- 
steads," to  which  I  could  respond :  "That  is  what  I  want 
to  hear.  You  have  shown  that  the  land  will  produce 
enough  to  support  you ;  your  cattle  and  other  animals 
have  increased  and  to  know  you  have  secured  your  land 
for  an  inheritance  will  be  a  great  comfort."  They  said 
the  Yorkton  brethren  were  making  unnecessary  trouble. 

One  apparently  middle  aged  asked  me  if  I  could  tell 
where  the  soul  of  the  good  people  went  when  they  left 
this  world,  he  had  read  that  when  we  died  that  was  the 
last  of  us.  I  replied  that  our  bodies  went  to  dust,  but  the 
souls  of  the  righteous  w-ent  to  God,  who  breathed  into 
the  nostrils  of  man  the  breath  of  life  and  he  became  a 
living  soul  which  could  not  be  said  of  any  other  creature 


442  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i902 

than  man,  who  was  created  in  the  image  of  God,  and  if 
our  ways  pleased  God,  the  spirits,  when  these  bodies  went 
to  dust,  would  go  to  be  with  God  in  the  Eternal  City,  that 
the  glory  of  God  did  lighten  with  his  presence,  and  the 
Lamb  of  God  was  the  Light  thereof.  Jesus  Christ  was 
this  Lamb  of  God.  It  seemed  to  be  my  opening  for  an 
enlargement  upon  the  fundamental  principles  of  Chris- 
tianity. I  believe  that  what  I  offered  had  a  hearty 
response  in  the  hearts  of  many  and  there  was  as  great  a 
manifestation  of  love  toward  me  as  I  need  want  to  see. 
I  do  not  wonder  that  James  Smart  could  say  of  that 
village  and  some  others  that  they  were  the  happiest 
people  he  met  in  the  Xorthwest. 

Fifth  month  2/.  A  very  pleasing  incident  took  place 
this  evening.  Ivan  Prepelkofif  came  to  me  and  said  he 
came  twelve  miles  to  see  me.  He  was  one  that  had  much 
to  say  on  registration.  Now  he  came  to  tell  me  that  he 
with  two  of  his  brothers  and  a  nephew  had  been  to  the 
Immigration  Agent  and  taken  up  a  section  of  land  so  as 
to  be  together.  This  was  a  comfort  to  me  and  he 
acknowledged  that  it  had  been  from  love  or  sympathy 
for  me  that  he  did  it. 

Fifth  month  28.  I  was  surprised  to  see  Peter  Jansen 
at  the  Rosthern  Station.  He  and  a  companion  were  out 
on  business  and  had  visited  one  or  two  Doukhobor  vil- 
lages and  were  pleased  at  the  progress  that  had  been 
made.  I  took  the  train  with  Peter  Jansen  and  enjoyed 
his  company,  but  the  trend  of  our  conversation  was  inter- 


Age  72      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  443 

rupted  when  we  came  to  the  Saskatchewan  River  where 
the  train  was  emptied  of  its  passengers  and  their  baggage. 
The  bridge  had  not  been  carried  away  but  the  water, 
having  risen  twenty-five  feet  above  the  average,  had 
washed  away  the  bank  at  one  end.  Thirteen  hundred 
feet  over  ties  was  no  inviting  walk  with  the  rushing 
w^aters  beneath.  We  had  to  walk  up  an  incline  plane  to 
get  to  the  bridge  where  we  found  a  plank  about  a  foot 
wide  had  been  laid  over  the  ties,  which  was  very  helpful 
as  far  as  it  went;  but  it  was  evident  that  all  confidence 
was  not  placed  in  the  ''old  gentleman"  as  he  was  called 
and  he  was  told  several  times  to  look  up,  but  he  was  not 
going  to  look  up,  it  was  neither  the  stars  overhead  nor 
the  rushing  waters  underneath  that  he  wished  to  see,  but 
where  his  feet  went.  As  long  as  there  was  bridge-work 
along  the  side  P.  Jansen  could  walk  on  the  strong  pieces 
and  take  hold  of  my  arm,  but  when  we  were  at  the  end 
of  the  bridge-work  and  the  plank  stopped,  Peter  Jansen 
called  to  a  friend  of  his  to  come  over  and  take  the  other 
arm  of  the  "old  gentleman,"  so  he  was  escorted  over  the 
remaining  ties ;  when  we  felt  we  were  on  solid  ground 
all  three  of  us  must  needs  take  a  seat  and  rest  awhile,  but 
the  mosquitoes  were  so  troublesome  we  had  to  keep 
moving. 

We  finally  started  and  the  train  travelled  very  slowly, 
and  we  had  many  delays  on  account  of  washouts  and 
water  on  the  tracks,  etc.  Peter  Jansen  was  very  kind 
and  twice  during  the  day  he  made  and  served  me  with 


444  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1902 

a  drink  that  he  said  was  more  nourishing  than  beef  tea.* 

Fifth  month  jo.  We  are  now  at  Winnipeg.  I  do  not 
know  that  I  ever  remember  a  message  from  home,  when  I 
was  absent,  "All  well  here,"  bringing  more  tenderness  of 
feeling  with  it  than  the  one  I  received  last  evening. 

Sixth  month  2.  Peter  Jansen  left  to-day  having  com- 
summated  his  business.  I  will  probably  await  the  arrival 
of  Helen  Moreland  who  is  coming  to  teach  the  Doukhobor 
children,  having  come  from  England  for  that  purpose. 

Sixth  month  12.  Met  my  son  Joseph  and  Helen  More- 
land  at  the  station.  Took  them  to  the  hotel,  after  which 
we  made  our  way  to  the  Immigration  Hall  where  they 
were  introduced  to  some  of  the  officials. 

Sixth  month  16.  Went  to  the  Immigration  Building 
and  bid  farewell  to  the  officials  there.  It  was  with  tender 
feelings  that  we  parted,  for  I  not  only  have  been  kindly 
treated  but  there  has  been  an  attachment  formed  that 
may  be  ranked  among  my  providences.  Charles  Jones 
was  at  the  station  to  see  me  ofT. 

Sixth  month  ip.  Had  a  delightful  trip  on  the  Lakes 
and  have  now  started  for  Toronto  and  from  there  I  hope 
to  go  to  Pickering  with  the  intention  of  attending  one  or 
more  sittings  of  Canada  Yearly  Meeting. 

Sixth  month  21.  By  taking  the  Lake  Route  I  did  not 
reach  Pickering  in  time  for  the  Meeting  for  Sufferings 


*(J.  S.  E.  was  in  a  suffering  and  very  weak  condition,  the 
result  of  a  very  rough  and  exposing  ride  a  few  days  previous 
on  the  prairie.) 


Age  72      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  445 

or  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders.  The  Yearly  Meet- 
ing however  opened  in  the  morning  of  the  20th  in  joint 
session  with  about  seventy  Friends  present. 

Sixth  month  sj.  On  arrival  in  Montreal  I  called  on 
Daniel  McNichol,  Second  Vice-President  of  the  Rail- 
road. I  told  him  that  I  had  not  come  to  ask  anything 
special  but  being  about  to  leave  Canada  I  wished  him  to 
know  that  I  had  appreciated  the  courtesy  and  assistance 
that  had  been  given  me  by  the  officials  in  Canada  the  past 
three  years  or  more  whilst  engaged  in  promoting  the 
welfare  of  the  Doukhobors.  Took  the  7.30  P.  M.  train 
for  Philadelphia. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

Visit  to  Indians  in  New  York,  New  England  and 
Nova  Scotia. 

Seventh  month  i8.  We  had  the  company  of  Governor 
Goto  of  Formosa  and  a  few  others  at  our  summer  home 
in  Malvern. 

Ninth  month  22.  To-day  I  had  sixteen  callers.  I  did 
not  see  them  all.  Some  called  socially,  but  most  of  them 
wanted  assistance  in  carrying  on  their  benevolent  pro- 
jects. It  is  somewhat  taxing  and  requires  a  measure  of 
heavenly  wisdom  to  act  with  judgment  and  leave  a  right 
impression  upon  the  minds  of  the  visitors.  Whilst  I  may 
get  weary  in  my  work,  I  do  not  want  to  get  weary  of  it ; 
but  that  my  life  may  be  so  spent  that  the  talent  of 
influence  may  be  properly  exerted  and  that  the  design  of 
the  Great  Giver  may  be  answered  so  as  to  bring  praise  to 
his  great  and  holy  Name. 

First  month  i,  ipo^.  There  was  apparently  less  fool- 
ishness than  usual  exhibited  in  the  city  and  there  is 
reason  to  believe  that  some  check  was  put  upon  it  by  the 
Mayor.  I  have  had  interviews  on  different  occasions 
with  the  present  Mayor  and  two  of  those  who  preceded 
him  on  the  subject  of  a  more  decisive  action  in  the  sup- 
pression of  immorality.  I  feel  that  the  Lord  has  been  a 
good  paymaster,  having  been  given  food  and  raiment  and 
been  supported  in  many  religious  engagements,  and  have 
been  favored  with  the  society  of  some  of  the  most  spiritu- 

446 


Age  73      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  447 

ally  minded  men  and  women  of  our  day.  I  have  reason  to 
trust  that  a  sufficiency  of  the  needs  and  comforts  of  this 
life  may  be  afforded  with  a  well  grounded  hope  that  my 
departure  from  this  world  will  be  an  entrance  in  that 
Heavenly  Home  where  sorrow  and  sighing  are  unknown. 

First  month  25.  A  message  received  tells  of  the  death 
of  Charles  Rhoads.  There  will  be  many  sorrowing  hearts, 
but  we  trust  he  has  gone  to  a  better  inheritance.  He  was 
a  man  of  talent,  both  natural  and  spiritual. 

Second  month  7.  Being  in  Washington  on  business 
concerning  the  Freeland  Bill,  I  had  occasion  to  call  on 
Senator  George  F.  Hoar,  of  Massachusetts,  who,  after 
we  had  finished  our  conversation  on  the  bill,  said  he 
wanted  me  to  see  his  wife.  They  were  friends  of  John 
and  Elizabeth  Bellows  and  the  visit  was  a  very  interesting 
one  to  me.  I  had  an  interview  with  Senator  M.  S.  Quay, 
who  assured  me  that  the  bill  would  not  be  allowed  to 
pass  Congress  that  day  and  he  wanted  a  committee  ap- 
pointed to  go  to  Salamanca  to  view  the  premises.  He 
was  fathering  a  protest  signed  by  629  Indians. 

I  visited  the  Congressional  Library  and  was  courte- 
ously received  by  the  Librarian,  who  gave  me  to  under- 
stand that  any  books  I  might  be  inclined  to  send  to  the 
Library  would  be  acceptable.  I  had  a  very  satisfactory 
interview  with  President  Roosevelt.  He  manifested  good 
humor  in  his  salutation,  saying,  "Well,  Friend  Joseph  I 
am  very  happy  to  see  thee,  how  is  thee?"  I  spoke  of  the 
measure  of  preservation  that  had  been  afforded  and  the 


448  JOSEPH   S.    ELKINTON  1903 

hope  that  Heavenly  wisdom  and  support  would  be  given 
him.  On  his  asking  what  he  could  do  for  me,  I  re- 
sponded, "Watch  over  the  Indians  for  good.'"  He  re- 
plied, "I  will." 

Third  month  6.  Son  William  started  for  Anderson  to- 
day on  a  business  trip.  He  is  a  faithful  son  and  bears 
much  responsibility;  may  our  Heavenly  Father  support 
him  and  favor  him  with  those  serious  impressions,  giving 
heed  to  which  he  may  be  truly  blessed.  A  father's 
prayers,  for  the  support,  guidance  and  preservation  of  all 
my  children  (one  of  whom  is  in  the  distance)  do  indeed 
seem  to  be  in  place. 

Fifth  month  6.  We  came  to  Malvern  to  enjoy  the 
benefits  of  our  summer  home.  I  appreciate  the  retreat 
afforded  by  the  rest  at  this  place  and  the  society  of  my 
little  family. 

Fifth  month  28.  A  few  years  ago  I  received  notice 
of  having  been  chosen  a  manager  of  the  Christian  League, 
an  association  of  men  of  character  who  are  supposed 
to  have  the  ear  of  those  in  authority,  in  pleading  for 
efficient  measures  for  the  suppression  of  immorality  and 
vice.  I  asked  to  have  a  younger  man  and  one  better 
adapted  for  the  work,  appointed  in  my  place,  but  not- 
withstanding my  repeated  protestations,  my  name  has 
been  retained.  I  had  attended  no  meeting;  until  this 
afternoon  there  was  an  Annual  Aleeting  at  which  I  felt 
as  if  I  might  be  in  a  place.  I  was  impressed  with  the 
report  of  the  great  amount  of  work  that  appeared  to 


Age  73      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  449 

have  been  accomplished  the  past  year,  and  the  hopeful 
view  taken  by  the  League,  that  there  was  an  improve- 
ment in  the  moral  atmosphere  of  the  community.  On 
the  reappointment  of  officers,  I  again  asked  for  my  name 
to  be  striken  off,  as  I  did  not  want  to  be  on  an  appoint- 
ment where  I  did  not  work,  but  the  desire  for  my  con- 
tinuance was  so  strongly  expressed  that  I  did  not  insist 
further.  I  was  very  respectfully  heard  while  speaking 
on  different  subjects. 

In  a  joint  session  of  our  Monthly  Meeting  this  morn- 
ing I  expressed  a  concern  to  visit  in  gospel  love  the  rem- 
nants of  the  Indian  Tribes  in  New  York,  New  England 
and  Nova  Scotia  and  to  perform  such  other  religious 
labor  as  may  be  called  for  amongst  them. 

Fifth  month  ^i.  Have  received  a  letter  from  Zebedee 
Haines,  expressing  his  intention  to  accompany  me  on  my 
visit  to  the  Indians  in  New  York  State. 

An  Address  to  Friends  in  Norway  by  J.  S.  E.  Fourth 
month  28,  1903: 

To  friends  in  Norway  who  are  honestly  concerned  for 
the  upholding  of  a  standard  of  Truth  and  Righteousness 
before  the  people,  whom  I  desire  to  salute  in  the  love  of 
the  gospel  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

May  the  God  of  Peace  sanctify  you  wholly  that  you 
may  be  preserved  in  the  power  of  God  to  the  end  of  your 
service  on  earth  and  to  be  enabled  to  stand  with  accept- 
ance before  the  Judge  of  the  whole  earth. 

"Be  ye  steadfast,  immovable,  abounding  in  the  work  of 


450  JOSEPH  S.   ELKINTON  i903 

the  Lord''  from  whom  the  precious  trust  has  been  re- 
ceived for  upholding  the  doctrines  of  Communion,  Reve- 
lation and  Inspiration  and  that  our  lives  and  labor  in 
the  consistency  and  experience  of  the  efficacy  of  this 
belief  will  not  be  in  vain. 

It  is  the  office  of  our  Holy  Redeemer  to  restore  into 
the  blessed  Communion  in  which  man  was  first  created 
but  lost  through  transgression.  The  promised  seed  is 
but  another  name  for  the  Light  of  Christ  enlightening 
everyone  who  cometh  into  the  world  and  they  who  give 
due  place  to  this  Light,  opening  their  understanding,  will 
certainly  know  of  the  mind  and  will  of  our  Heavenly 
Father  communicated  to  them,  and  such  shall  be  endued 
with  power  from  on  High  to  act  in  accordance  therewith. 
The  blessing  of  repentance,  the  blessing  of  forgiveness, 
the  blessing  of  preservation,  the  blessing  of  support  in 
the  lines  of  appointment  and  service  for  his  great  Name's 
sake,  will  be  realized. 

Many  false  teachings,  calculated  to  lower  the  true 
standard,  are  in  vogue.  The  Jews  of  old  w-ere  called 
upon  to  abstain  from  idolatry  and  bear  testimony  to  the 
oneness  of  the  true  and  living  God,  but  in  their  denial 
of  Christ  the  glory  departed  from  them. 

We  are  called  to  bear  testimony  to  the  oneness  of  the 
true  and  living  God  and  wnth  that  a  testimony  to  the 
Divinity  of  Jesus  Christ  and  that  of  the  increase  of  his 
government  there  is  to  be  no  end.  Striking  at  the  root 
of  all  priestcraft  and  all  foolish  and  hurtful  lusts  we  are, 


Age  73      DIARY  AND   CORRESPONDENCE  451 

through  the  Hght  and  power  of  that  Grace  and  Truth 
which  cometh  by  Jesus  Christ,  to  Hve  soberly  in  this 
present  Avorld  with  the  hope  of  a  blessed  immortality  in 
view. 

The  Church  has  had  its  chastening  and  afflictions  be- 
cause of  evildoers  who  depart  from  the  true  faith,  but 
very  precious  is  the  current  of  life  and  invisible  fellow- 
ship in  the  Gospel  that  is  known  among  those  who  in 
heavenly  wisdom  are  contending  for  the  faith  once  deliv- 
ered to  the  saints.  Such  having  been  really  baptized  into 
Christ,  eating  of  the  same  spiritual  bread,  drinking  the 
same  spiritual  drink,  walking  by  the  same  rule  and  mind- 
ing the  same  thing  demonstrate  that  the  end  of  their  con- 
versation was  Christ  Jesus  the  same  yesterday,  to-day  and 
forever. 

The  recognition  of  the  principles  of  Truth  as  professed 
by  our  forefathers  in  the  Truth  will  tend  to  the  welfare 
of  the  world  and  the  peace  of  God  for  ourselves.  They 
who  make  and  keep  their  covenants  with  the  Lord  will 
have  their  souls  satisfied  by  the  Lord. 

Some,  near  the  close  of  their  lengthened  life,  have 
borne  unequivocal  testimony  to  the  supporting  power  of 
Divine  Grace,  and  some  who  have  traveled  much  over 
the  world  and  been  observed  of  men  have  borne  testi- 
mony to  the  effect  that  if  the  young  men  of  the  Society 
of  Friends  would  keep  to  their  principles  they  would  do 
more  good  in  the  world  than  all  others  and  have  more 
comfort  in  their  own  minds. 


452  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1903 

One  who  had  a  high  standing  amongst  statesmen  and 
the  learned  men  said  he  believed  that  the  Societ}''  of 
Friends  as  represented  by  our  Yearly  Meeting  came 
nearer  the  purity  of  doctrine  than  any  other  since  the 
Apostles'  days. 

Another  eminent  statesmen  said  to  me  on  his  dying 
bed :  "Tell  your  young    men  to  keep  to  their  principles." 

I  have  met  with  Norwegians,  both  men  and  women, 
W'ho  have  ornamented  their  calling.  The  desire  of  my 
heart  is  that  the  young  and  rising  generation  may  not  be 
led  into  lying  vanities,  but  that,  as  in  generations  past, 
there  may  still  be  witnesses  of  the  Divine  power  who  will 
not  be  ashamed  of  the  yoke  and  cross  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  that  as  the  responsibilities  increase  none  may 
faint  or  be  wearied  in  well-doing,  but  be  kept  in  their 
integrity  supported  in  the  wisdom  and  power  of  the 
Gospel. 

The  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  with  you  all.  In 
sincerity,  your  friend, 

(Signed)         Jos.  S.  Elkixton. 

At  a  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends  of  Philadelphia,  held  Fifth 
month  28,  1903,  in  a  joint  session  of  men  and  women  Friends. 

Our  dear  Friend  Joseph  S.  Elkinton  submitted  for  the  con- 
sideration and  judgment  of  this  meeting  a  concern  to  visit,  in 
the  love  of  the  Gospel,  the  remnants  of  the  Indian  tribes  in 
New  York,  New  England  and  Nova  Scotia,  and  to  hold  meetings 
and  perform  such  other  religious  labor  as  may  be  called  for 
among  them  and  perhaps  among  others  whose  residences  border 
on  the  reservations  of  these  Indian  tribes. 

Much  unity  and  sympathy  were  expressed  with  the  proposed 
visit  of  our  Friend,  and  he  is  liberated  by  this  meeting  to  per- 


Age  73      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  453 

form  the  service  as  the  great  Head  of  the  Church  may  enable 
and  direct.    Joseph  S.  Elkinton  is  a  minister  in  unity  with  us. 

The  meeting  directs  that  a  copy  of  this  minute,  signed  by  the 
Clerks  of  both  Men  and  Women's  Meetings,  be  furnished  to 
Joseph  S.  Elkinton.     Taken  from  the  Minutes. 

Edwin  P.  Sellew, 
Anna  Walton,  Clerks. 
Ephraim  Smith,  Correspondent. 

At  a  stated  meeting  of  the  Indian  Committee,  held  Sixth 
month  16,  1903: 

Our  friends,  Joseph  S.  Elkinton  and  Zebedee  Haines,  who 
are  now  with  us,  having  a  prospect  of  paying  a  visit  in  the  love 
of  the  Gospel  to  the  Indians  on  the  Allegheny  and  Chattaraugus 
Reservations,  and  also  to  remnants  of  other  Indian  tribes  in 
the  state  of  New  York,  in  whose  welfare  the  Society  of  Friends 
in  this  neighborhood  and  this  committee  have  long  felt  a  warm 
interest,  the  information  of  this  proposed  visit  was  cordial  to 
our  feelings  and  we  desire  to  express  our  sympathy  with  and 
encouragement  of  our  friends  in  this  undertaking,  desiring  that 
the  bonds  of  friendship  which  have  been  so  long  maintained 
between  these  people  and  Friends  may  thus  be  strengthened. 

A  copy  of  this  minute  is  directed  to  be  furnished  to  each 
of  these  Friends.     Taken  from  the  Minutes. 

George  J.  Scattergood.  Clerk. 

Sixth  month  20.  Met  Zebedee  Haines  at  Broad  Street 
Station  last  evening  as  agreed  upon,  and  we  took  train 
for  Olean,  thence  to  Tunesassa,  where  we  were  met  and 
cordially  received. 

The  impression  from  what  conversation  I  have  had 
thus  far  has  been  that  there  is  a  very  marked  advance 
in  the  speaking  or  use  of  the  English  language,  not  with 
the  younger  ones  alone  but  also  by  the  older  people. 

Sixth  month  2i.     We  seemed  to  have  no  need  of  an 


454  JOSEPH   S.   ELKIXTON  1903 

interpreter.  Only  once  before  do  I  remember  holding  a 
meeting  among  the  Indians  without  one,  and  one  Indian 
told  me  after  meeting  to-day  he  thought  nearly  all  we 
said  was  understood. 

Sixth  month  2^.  Our  meeting  this  morning  at  the 
school  ended  with  a  sweetness  of  feeling.  Both  Z.  H. 
and  myself  have  more  physical  strength  than  a  month 
ago.  I  can  speak  well  of  my  native  air,  and  whilst  there 
have  been  exercises  in  carrying  on  the  work  for  the 
benefit  of  the  natives,  there  are  evidences  of  its  having 
been  owned.  We  cannot  ignore  the  fact  that  with  the 
increase  of  years  the  ners-es  may  weaken,  and  to  keep  the 
head  above  the  waters  may  be  more  of  a  struggle  than 
we  may  feel  equal  to,  yet  we  know  it  is  not  the  design 
of  our  Heavenly  Father  that  we  should  be  overwhelmed, 
and  as  our  Saviour  could  walk  on  the  waters  there  is  no 
reason  to  question  his  willingness  to  reach  forth  his  hand 
to  keep  us  from  sinking. 

Sixth  month  28.  Retiring  into  our  room  after  meeting, 
the  voices  of  the  girls  in  the  open  window  of  their  sit- 
ting room,  close  by,  sounded  as  if  they  wanted  to  have 
a  meeting  or  exercises  after  their  own  fashion.  I  thought 
a  few  days  ago,  that  the  boys  had  rather  gotten  ahead 
of  the  faculty,  but  the  girls  seemed  decidedly  ahead  of 
the  boys  with  their  singing  in  concert.  Their  voices 
were  clear  and  enchanting,  but  there  is  doubt  in  its  being 
in  right  ordering;  it  is  not  according  to  the  teaching  by 
the  ancient  type  of  Friends,  and  I  am  thinking  what  kind 


Age  73      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  455 

of  answer  we  have  to  make  for  having  a  singing  school. 
I  suppose  some  of  us  will  have  to  bear  our  burdens  and 
jog  on. 

Sixth  vionth  2g.  If  not  disappointed  I  expect  my  be- 
loved wife  had  our  son  William  and  family  with  her 
to-day  at  Malvern,  their  last  visit  with  her  before  they 
embark  on  the  mighty  ocean  under  the  protecting  care 
of  the  Ruler  of  the  Universe.  We  do  love  them  deeply 
and  fondly  as  is  natural  to  the  human  heart,  and  hope 
for  their  preservation,  as  plants  of  righteousness  to 
flourish  in  the  courts  of  our  God.  And  whether  their 
lives  are  spared  to  old  age,  or  be  cut  off  at  an  earlier 
period,  that  may  it  all  be  in  righteousness,  and  having 
served  their  generation  according  to  the  Divine  will,  may 
they  be  gathered  into  the  heavenly  port  of  rest  and 
peace. 

Seventh  Dionth  2.  We  had  a  very  good  meeting  at 
Piney  Woods.  Z.  H.  is  one  in  whom  we  can  take  satis- 
faction as  being  adapted  for  gospel  work  among  the 
Indians.  There  was  an  intercession  alluding  to  the 
strong  temptations,  and  that  grace  might  be  given  to 
overcome  them.  An  aged  Indian  came  to  my  side  after 
meeting  and  whispered  in  my  ear,  '"Good  preach,  you 
two  stand  here  until  they  come  and  take  your  hands," 
which  they  nearly  all  did. 

Seventh  month  10.  At  a  meeting  on  the  Tuscarora 
Reservation,  after  our  certificates  were  read,  I  endeav- 
ored to  give  a  correct  impression  of  what  was  implied 


456  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i903 

by  visiting  in  gospel  love ;  that  there  was  something 
deeper  than  mere  reciprocation  of  kindly  acts,  there  was 
that  which  sought  to  be  knit  to  the  hidden  and  best  life. 
And  by  influence  and  example  we  encouraged  those 
visited,  to  keep  to  what  they  knew  was  the  Truth,  deliv- 
ering such  messages  as  might  be  entrusted  to  us  for  the 
people.  In  our  visiting  we  might  be  instructed  ourselves, 
by  the  insight  given  us  of  what  the  Lord  was  doing  for 
his  people.  After  the  meeting,  the  Baptist  minister  pro- 
posed that  Z.  H.  attend  his  place  of  Worship  and  I 
another  on  First-day  morning  and  all  to  meet  together 
in  the  evening,  which  after  a  hurried  consultation  we 
decided  to  accept,  but  that  we  would  in  no  wise  promise 
that  we  would  speak.  A  ride  over  the  Reservation  is 
in  prospect  for  to-morrow. 

Seventh  month  ij.  Last  evening  we  had  something  of 
an  experience  at  the  close  of  the  meeting.  We  were 
taken  to  the  meeting  by  an  aged  Indian  (grandfather 
Griff  en)  who  is  83  years  of  age  and  has  but  one  eye; 
he  has  eighty  descendants,  children,  grandchildren  and 
great-grandchildren.  He  had  rather  a  frisky  horse  and 
the  night  was  very  dark.  After  we  were  all  in  the 
wagon  the  nag  was  started  but  "Grandfather  GriflFen's" 
one  eye  was  not  quite  bright  enough  to  measure  distances 
accurately  in  the  dark  and  my  eyes  were  not  much  better 
but  my  ears  soon  heard  some  crashing  and  I  soon  became 
aware  of  something  going  on.  Z.  H.,  the  most  agile  of  the 
three,  was  soon  at  the  horse's  head  and  I  scrambled  out 


Age  73      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  457 

as  quickly  as  I  could,  "Frisky''  in  the  meantime  was  doing 
something  at  skinning  his  own  shanks,  but  so  they  were 
not  ours  we  might  be  thankful.  We  soon  discovered 
that  we  had  overturned  another  wagon  and  were  in  a 
tangle,  which  took  some  time  to  get  straightened  out. 
As  soon  as  the  horses  were  under  control,  the  greatest 
concern  to  us  was  whether  any  one  was  hurt ;  finding  no 
evidence  of  that  being  the  case,  the  overturned  vehicle 
was  righted.  I  was  given  a  passage  in  another  convey- 
ance with  a  lantern  and  Z.  H.  returned  with  "Grand- 
father Grififen"  and  "Frisky."  Upon  asking  Z.  H.  how 
they  fared  on  the  way,  he  replied  that  "not  a  word 
passed  between  them  and  the  horse."  Those  who  took 
me  in,  were  in  a  one-seated  aflFair,  I  sat  beside  an  Indian 
woman  of  about  250  lbs,  and  the  man  who  stood  behind 
and  drove,  was  somewhat  smaller  than  his  wife.  We 
retired  with  hearts  a  little  too  thankful  for  instant 
sleeping. 

Seventh  month  i8.  To-day  I  had  a  cordial  interview 
with  Thomas  La  Forte,  who  made  some  very  touching 
remarks  regarding  my  father.  Thomas  La  Forte  said 
that  at  the  time  of  the  civil  war,  16  of  their  young  men 
had  gone  into  the  army  and  had  such  hardships  they 
wanted  to  be  released ;  a  delegation,  of  which  he  was 
one,  went  to  Philadelphia  and  wtrt  received  and  homed 
by  my  father.  My  father  told  them  that  every  breath 
of  President  Lincoln  seemed  to  be  spent  for  the  people 
and  it  was  doubtful  about  their  getting  to  see  him,  but 


458  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i903 

advised  their  seeking  an  interview  with  WilHam  H. 
Seward,  which  they  did,  and  he  succeeded  in  getting 
them  a  hearing  before  the  President.  They  told  Presi- 
dent Lincoln  what  Joseph  Elkinton  had  said,  to  which 
he  pleasantly  replied:  "I  know  he  is  a  good  man,  now 
don't  make  a  long  speech  but  tell  me  what  you  want  me 
to  do.  They  said  there  are  16  of  our  Indians  in  the 
army  who  were  not  treated  right  and  we  want  you  to 
release  them;  he  answered  "I  will"  and  wrote  an  order 
for  their  release. 

Thomas  La  Forte  also  told  an  affecting  incident  of 
two  Indian  boys  out  in  a  cold  storm  who  were  refused 
shelter  by  a  hotel-keeper  who  said  no  Indian  had  or  ever 
should  enter  his  home.  The  boys  pleaded  but  in  vain 
and  they  had  to  pass  on,  spending  all  night  in  getting  to 
their  home,  and  thinking  it  very  hard  that  those  who 
called  themselves  Christians  and  were  civilizing  the 
Indians  should  treat  them  thus.  They  could  not  see 
that  such  people  were  any  better  than  the  Indians  they 
called  heathen,  who  had  learned  that  Christ  had  said 
"As  ye  would  that  others  should  do  to  you,  do  ye  even 
so  to  them."  In  the  course  of  time  two  men  were  snowed 
up  in  front  of  an  Indian  house,  snow  four  feet  deep  and 
no  trail.  The  travellers  made  their  way  to  that  Indian 
home  and  asked  to  be  taken  in.  "Yes."  "Can  we  have 
something  to  eat?"  "Yes,  the  best  we  have."  "Can  our 
horses  get  under  cover?"  "Yes  and  some  feed  and  some 
hay,  you  may  have  all  the  best  we  have."     After  awhile 


Age  73      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  459 

the  Indian  smiled  as  he  recognized  the  hotel-keeper,  but 
waited  until  the  snow  allowed  them  to  go  safely  on  their 
way  and  they  wanted  to  pay  for  the  hospitality  received. 
"No  pay,  I  have  treated  you  as  I  want  to  be  treated  and 
as  I  want  you  to  treat  strangers ;  you  civilized  called  us 
heathen,  but  Christ  says,  do  unto  others  as  you  would 
have  others  do  unto  you."  The  hotel-keeper  put  a  fifty 
dollar  note  under  the  pillow  in  the  bed-room  with  a  note 
asking  to  be  forgiven  and  hoped  he  would  never  turn  a 
stranger  from  his  door  again. 

Seventh  month  22.  The  evening  meeting  was  a  very 
satisfactory  one.  The  Truth  set  forth  by  Z.  H.  and  the 
tone  and  spirit  of  his  supplication  for  them  I  thought  an 
excellent  closing  of  his  exercises  for  the  Indians  in 
Western  New  York,  and  so  far  as  they  are  concerned 
in  this  part  of  the  heritage  I  feel  clear,  trusting  I  have 
not  exceeded  my  commission ;  we  have  been  dealt  with 
bountifully  from  on  High. 

Eighth  month  2.  West  Falmouth.  W^hen  the  convey- 
ance from  the  Livery  came  to  take  John  H.  Dillingham. 
J.  S.  Gidley,  Wm.  Mekeel  and  myself  to  our  appointed 
meeting,  an  expression  was  made:  "What  an  awful 
looking  horse !"  and  whilst  I  would  not  have  chosen  him 
for  beauty  yet  "raw-bones''  did  better  than  was  expected 
of  him  for  we  came  in  sight  of  the  Indian  Chapel  of  the 
Wagnoits  at  South  Mashpie  at  exactly  three  o'clock.  We 
met  a  wagon-load  on  our  way  travelling  towards  West 
Falmouth,  which  we  hailed ;  they  had  not  heard  of  the 


460  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1903 

meeting  and  I  pleaded  with  them  to  turn  back.  One  of 
them  said  he  was  going  to  buy  swine;  I  told  him  that 
I  made  a  business  bargain  once  in  my  life  on  the  First- 
day  of  the  week  and  got  enough  of  it,  for  it  ended  very 
unsatisfactorily.  Their  horses  were  turned  and  part  of 
the  load  came  to  meeting.  I  was  afterwards  told  that  one 
woman  (not  knowing  about  the  afternoon  meeting)  had 
remarked  to  another  in  the  morning,  that  she  wished 
they  could  have  a  meeting  and  my  impression  is  they 
thought  they  had  a  ''blessed  meeting." 

Eighth  month  3.  In  one  of  the  Indian  houses  that  we 
visited  to-day  there  was  over  the  door  a  square  tablet  on 
which  were  the  words  "Christ  is  the  Head  of  this  house ; 
the  unseen  Guest  at  every  meal ;  the  silent  Listener  to 
every  conversation." 

While  riding  around  among  the  Indians,  John  H. 
Dillingham  showed  us  where  he  taught  school  at  the  age 
of  sixteen;  he  had  sixteen  scholars,  the  oldest  being  a 
girl  of  sixteen  years  of  age.  He  afterwards  went  to 
college  but  said  that  from  that  first  winter  spent  in 
teaching  he  was  self-supporting. 

Eighth  month  5.  A  few  years  ago  when  the  question 
was  agitated  whether  the  Indians  would  become  citizens 
and  have  their  Reservation  of  about  2300  acres  divided 
in  severalty,  they  decided  to  remain  as  they  were  at  least 
for  five  years  longer,  which  disappointed  the  Legislature 
of  Massachusetts,  for  it  had  hoped  the  decision  would 
be  otherwise.     Abraham  Rodman  came  home  and  told 


Age  73      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  461 

his  wife  how  the  vote  had  gone;  she  said  "and  did  you 
vote  that  way?"  "Yes"  was  the  answer  and  she  as  much 
as  said  she  was  not  going  to  have  it  so,  and  set  herself 
to  work  going  from  house  to  house  for  signatures  to  have 
the  decision  reversed,  then  took  it  to  Boston  and  was 
given  a  hearing  before  the  Legislature.  She  was  given  a 
letter  to  the  Mayor  of  Boston  who  wept  with  joy  at  the 
sight  of  it  and  came  to  Gay  Head  to  assist  in  having  the 
provisions  of  the  proposed  change  carried  out.  At  first 
the  old  Chiefs  cried,  but  things  finally  settled  down  and 
all  seemed  to  become  satisfied  with  having  their  Reserva- 
tion changed  into  a  town  with  the  right  of  the  inhabitants 
to  vote,  etc.  All  the  Indians  now  in  Massachusetts  are 
citizens. 

Eighth  month  ip.  To-day  I  made  my  third  attempt  to 
see  Big  Thunder  on  Indian  Island,  my  two  previous  calls 
having  been  unsuccessful.  As  to  the  "Thunder"  he  has 
plenty  of  it ;  when  I  told  him  that  the  Governor  had  sent 
a  message  that  he  wanted  him  to  come  to  our  meeting  to 
be  held  this  afternoon  at  the  Governor's  house,  he  said 
"I  am  not  going;  I  don't  want  any  religion  and  I  don't 
believe  in  it."  To  which  I  responded  "Religion  is  just 
what  a  man  needs  to  give  him  power  over  evil  and  raise 
him  up  into  that  which  is  good."  "Well  now,"  said  he, 
"1  will  tell  you  what  I  do  believe,  that  there  is  a  Great 
Spirit  that  is  all  about  us,  we  ask  Him  what  we  will  do." 
I  replied  "Now  that  is  granting  a  fundamental  principle 
of  all  true  religion,  if  we  mind  what  the  Great  Soirit  tells 


462  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1903 

and  shows  us,  we  are  then  on  the  foundation  of  all  relig- 
ion. And  if  we  will  fear  God  and  work  righteousness,  the 
Great  Spirit  will  be  pleased  with  us ;  every  people  under 
heaven  may  have  their  own  name  for  the  Great  Spirit 
and  there  will  be  some  among  them  who  can  tell  of  his 
wonderful  works."  Big  Thunder  said:  "I  am  not  going 
to  confess  my  sins  to  any  man,"  at  which  another  broke 
out,  "Neither  will  I,"  which  encouraged  me  to  go  on  and 
say,  "We  don't  want  anyone  to  come  between  us  and  our 
Maker  but  Jesus  Christ,  He  was  always  with  God  before 
He  came  on  earth  and  did  the  works  which  no  other  man 
did,  and  after  his  life  was  taken  from  the  earth.  He 
appeared  again  and  was  seen  of  men ;  it  is  He  who  is 
sent  to  bless  us  by  turning  us  away  from  our  iniquities." 

Eighth  month  2j.  Visited  an  aged  Indian  grand- 
mother who  said  she  liked  the  people  of  God  to  come  to 
see  her.  Her  grand-daughter  interpreted  for  me  and  said 
she  could  make  her  grandmother  understand  what  I  said. 
When  we  were  about  to  leave  the  good  old  woman  stood 
up  and  delivered  such  a  sermon  in  plain  English  as  would 
not  have  been  a  discredit  to  any  one  in  a  meeting  of 
Ministers  and  Elders.  It  was  spoken  in  the  wisdom  of 
God. 

Eighth  month  26.  Have  read  some  letters  from  home. 
I  feel  interested  in  our  children  in  the  distance.  With 
unfeigned  words,  I  can  say,  "Oh !  Lord,  watch  over 
them  for  good  as  also  over  those  of  us  this  side  of  the 
great  water.     Some  things  are  too  much  for  utterance 


Age  73      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  463 

and  it  starts  the  tears  to  go  back  and  join  with  thee  (my 
dear  wife)  in  contemplating  the  time  when  dear  mother 
Patterson's  purified  spirit  left  the  body  to  be  amongst 
the  celestial  ones." 

Eighth  month  28.  I  have  had  a  glimpse  of  the  location 
of  a  curiosity  of  which  there  is  said  to  be  only  one  like 
it  in  the  world  and  that  in  India.  It  is  a  reversing  fall 
of  water,  caused  by  a  descent  of  fifteen  feet  making  a 
decided  fall,  but  when  the  tide  returns  it  makes  the  water 
go  back  and  make  a  fall  nearly  as  great  the  other  way; 
to  say  driving  water  up  hill  may  be  a  risky  expression; 
but  what  else  can  be  made  of  it?  I  saw  it  when  the  water 
was  very  nearly  level,  and  again  later,  when  it  was  at  its 
roughest  or  wildest  point.    A  wonderful  sight ! 

Eighth  month  2Q.  Received  a  postal  couched  in  such 
terms  that  I  think  it  best  to  return  to  attend  the  Douk- 
hobor  Committee  to  meet  in  Philadelphia  next  Fourth- 
day  Ninth  month  2,  1903. 

Ninth  month  i.  Left  St.  John  last  evening  returning 
to  Philadelphia  thence  to  Malvern  where  I  arrived  about 
9.30  this  P.  M. 

Ninth  month  18.  I  have  been  brought  into  very  close 
exercise  as  to  whether  under  existing  circumstances  I 
had  better  join  Jonathan  E.  Rhoads,  William  Evans  and 
Job  S.  Gidley  in  a  journey  to  Winnepeg  to  consult  with 
Peter  Verigin  on  the  subject  of  establishing  schools 
among  the  Doukhobors.  It  has  been  a  proving  time  to 
me  for  it  is  a  great  disappointment  to  forego  the  oppor- 


464  JOSEPH  S.   ELKINTON  1903 

tunity  of  meeting  with  Peter  Verigin,  but  as  there  seemed 
hardly  enough  Hght  to  justify  my  going  I  have  decided 
to  remain  at  home  until  the  time  comes  to  resume  my 
work  among  the  Indians. 

Ninth  month  24.  Not  having  been  to  our  factory  for 
several  months  I  felt  that  I  would  like  to  make  a  visit 
there  and  go  all  through  it  and  speak  to  all  the  men. 
My  feelings  were  solemnized  in  the  thought  of  how  the 
time  will  come  for  loosening  the  hold  on  terrestrial 
things.  The  Lord  may  be  served  by  a  proper  attention 
to  business,  but  with  steady  purpose  of  seeking  first  the 
Kingdom  of  Heaven  and  the  righteousness  thereof  in 
the  hope,  faith  and  belief  that  necessary  things  will  be 
added. 

Tenth  month  p.  Zebedee  Haines  has  come  to  the  city 
and  we  expect  to  start  this  evening  to  finish  the  service 
among  the  Indians  in  Nova  Scotia,  having  been  called 
home  before  finishing  my  visit  among  the  Indians  on 
Long  Island,  Nova  Scotia  and  parts  of  Canada  south  of 
the  St.  Lawrence  River. 

Tenth  month  ip.  Catharine  Churchill  at  Yarmouth. 
Nova  Scotia,  told  an  interesting  incident  of  how  she  felt 
impressed  to  visit  a  consumptive  who  was  nearing  the 
end  of  his  course  on  earth.  As  he  had  admitted  there 
was  no  hope  for  his  continuance  in  this  life,  she  spoke 
to  him  about  the  preparation  for  eternity,  to  which  he 
responded  that  he  had  been  guilty  of  every  crime  except 
that  of  murder ;  he  had  done  about  everything  else  in  the 


Age  73      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  465 

line  of  wrong  doing  and  his  heart  was  as  hard  as  a  stone 
and  he  said  she  could  not  break  it.  She  replied  that  she 
could  not,  but  the  power  of  God  could  break  it.  She  sat 
by  his  side  a  considerable  time  but  could  say  no  more; 
she  rose  and  stood,  the  tears  flowing  while  she  was 
silently  engaged  in  intercession  on  his  behalf,  until  she 
saw  the  poor  man  raise  his  hand  and  say,  "My  God !  He 
has  broken  my  heart." 

Tenth  month  21.  At  the  Indian  settlement  at  Bear 
River  we  learned  that  the  Reservation  consists  of  sixteen 
hundred  acres  and  is  capable  with  proper  attention  to 
cultivation  of  supporting  all  the  Indians  who  have  homes 
on  it.  The  Reservation  extends  between  the  East  Branch 
and  West  Branch  of  the  Bear  River  down  to  the  junction 
and  is  said  to  be  good  farming  land.  The  Canadian 
Government,  on  the  whole,  manifests  marked  kindness; 
it  schools  the  children,  does  much  for  the  poor,  makes 
an  appropriation  for  funerals,  also  pays  doctor  bills,  fur- 
nishes seeds,  and  if  an  Indian  from  another  Settlement 
comes  on  the  Reservation  with  a  fair  promise  of  staying 
to  improve  the  land,  the  Government  will  help  him  to 
build. 

Eleventh  month  2.  We  visited  an  Indian  settlement 
to-day  that  surpassed  anything  we  have  yet  seen  in  Nova 
Scotia,  for  thrift.  The  location  was  on  an  extensive 
plain  well  cleared  and  with  beautiful  scenery.  There 
were  cows,  sheep,  geese  and  chickens  in  evidence  and  it 
was  pleasing  to  see  such  a  village  of  well  built  houses, 


466  JOSEPH   S.   EIvKINTON  1903 

with    out-buildings    and    signs    of    farming    operations. 
There  was  much  general  intelligence  manifested. 

Eleventh  month  6.  Among  our  calls  to-day  was  one 
to  the  Chief  of  a  colony,  whom  we  found  making  shovel 
handles.  He  reports  himself  to  be  75  years  of  age. 
Speaking  on  the  subject  of  religion  he  said  "Some  of  the 
Indians  believe  what  the  clergymen  say  and  some  do 
not."  Z.  H.  answered,  "We  find  that  everywhere,  and 
enlarged  on  the  offices  of  the  Holy  Spirit  and  spoke  of 
the  contrast  between  the  prosperity  attending  the  Chris- 
tian and  the  unbeliever.  He  also  alluded  to  the  manner 
in  which  Wm.  Penn  treated  with  the  Indians  on  peace- 
able and  just  principles.  This  brought  out  the  Chief 
who  said  he  never  believed  that  war  was  right ;  the  view 
he  expressed  of  doing  right  in  the  sight  of  God  was 
cordial  to  me.  I  never  heard  an  Indian  use  the  Bible 
name  for  our  Creator  before,  they  generally  use  the  term 
Great  Spirit  which  is  a  very  proper  expression  for  the 
Great  Name.  We  were  thanked  heartily  for  calling,  and 
this  has  been  very  generally  done  on  parting  in  all  of  the 
visited  homes,  giving  us  reason  to  believe  our  visits  are 
acceptable.  The  Indians  in  this  part  of  the  country  and 
throughout  Canada  are  mostly  under  Roman  Catholic 
influence,  thus  we  have  avoided  holding  meetings  and 
have  contented  ourselves  with  visiting  the  schools  and 
homes.  On  the  whole  we  have  escaped  pretty  well  from 
coming  into  collision  with  the  priests.  Now  and  then 
we  have  had  a  direct  pointed  question  from  some  faithful 


Age  73      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  467 

Catholic,  "What  you  come  for?"  But  as  soon  as  they 
comprehended  our  mission  they  became  open  and  cordial 
and  in  no  case  can  we  say  we  were  not  well  received. 
Our  communications  were  brief  and  pointed,  endeavor- 
ing to  testify  to  the  root  and  ground-work  of  true  religion 
and  Jesus  Christ  as  the  Author  and  Finisher  of  our  faith, 
sent  to  bless  us  by  turning  us  away  from  our  iniquities ; 
and  those  who  would  be  turned  should  find  their  peace 
made  with  the  Great  Spirit  through  or  by  him. 

Eleventh  month  /.  On  approaching  Pictou,  we  were 
given  a  pretty  view  of  the  harbor,  and  I  had  my  first 
interview  with  a  Catholic  priest  on  this  journey;  he  was 
a  young  man  and  stationed  at  Pictou.  He  addressed  me 
as  a  stranger  in  these  parts  and  seemed  disposed  to  be 
sociable  so  I  endeavored  to  be  the  same.  He  told  me 
where  the  Indians  were,  and  represented  that  hunting 
and  fishing  were  more  and  more  being  given  up,  and 
those  about  Pictou  were  occupied  in  unloading  vessels. 
I  told  him  that  I  had  had  interviews  with  most  of  the 
rectors  of  the  Roman  Catholics  in  Philadelphia. 

Eleventh  month  lo.  We  were  again  called  upon  by  the 
Catholic  priest  whom  we  met  a  few  days  ago.  He 
wanted  to  know  our  view  of  the  Indians  we  had  visited 
at  the  settlement  on  the  other  side  of  the  harbor.  I 
talked  about  the  sweet  tone  of  their  language  and  their 
fluency  in  speaking  the  English  language,  and  inasmuch 
as  he  said  hunting  and  fishing  were  being  less  practiced, 
there  should  be  a  steady  care  maintained  to  assist  and 


468  JOSEPH   S.   ELKIXTOX  1903 

encourage  them  in  their  efforts  in  every  useful  direction. 
I  endeavored  to  go  a  Httle  deeper,  but  with  caution  and 
prudence;  he  voluntarily  gave  information  concerning 
the  natives  around  Heatherton  where  they  have  an 
Indian  priest. 

Eleventh  month  /j.  We  have  been  on  the  Indian  trail 
to-day  in  the  neighborhood  of  W'hycocomagh  and  in  one 
home  Simeon  Barker  gave  us  quite  an  account  of  Ben 
Christmas  having  started  this  settlement,  received  some 
learning  and  left  the  Catholic  faith  which  set  them 
against  him  and  they  concluded  they  must  not  send  their 
children  to  school,  and  now  it  was  very  hard  to  get  over 
that  feeling.  I  told  how  Red  Jacket  did  not  want  Indian 
children  to  go  to  school  to  learn  to  cheat  and  steal  like 
white  folk,  until  he  saw  the  advantage  in  being  able  to 
read  and  then  he  wanted  school-teachers  to  teach  the 
Indians  how  to  make  paper  talk.  This  amused  Simeon 
very  much  and  he  said  the  children  must  be  schooled. 
The  natives  in  Nova  Scotia  and  here-a-way  are  expert 
in  making  butter  and  wash  tubs,  handles  for  axes  and 
other  implements. 

Eleventh  month  i6.  On  arrival  at  Charlottetown  we 
went  to  the  Queen's  Hotel  and  as  the  office  was  not  par- 
ticularly inviting  we  retired  to  our  rooms.  The  lock  of 
my  chamber-door  was  out  of  order  and  as  there  seemed 
to  be  no  other  fastening  I  barricaded  the  door  with  the 
writing-table  and  chairs.  Somewhere  about  midnight 
there  was  a  big  racket  at  the  door.    I  called  out,  "Joseph 


Age  73      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  469 

S.  Elkinton  is  here,  and  was  shown  into  the  room  by  the 
landlady,"  whereupon  there  was  a  lull  and  a  seeming 
retreat.  I  rose,  turned  on  the  light  and  readjusted  the 
barricade  and  turned  back  into  bed  where  I  slept  until 
morning.  We  left  after  an  early  breakfast  and  went  to 
the  Indian  Reservation,  but  on  our  return  to  Charlotte- 
town  we  hunted  up  another  hotel. 

Eleventh  month  22.  We  visited  an  Indian  chief  to-day 
where  there  seemed  to  be  quite  a  household  gathering. 
He  would  insist  upon  our  taking  dinner  there  and  accom- 
panying us  on  our  visits  from  house  to  house.  They 
gave  us  a  very  palatable  meat  pot-pie  dinner;  the  chief 
was  seventy-four  years  old. 

Eleventh  month  2^.  We  came  to  Adirondack  Junction. 
At  the  station  a  man  with  a  rickety  wagon  and  a  poor 
horse  offered  to  take  us  to  the  residence  of  John  James 
Oke.  Such  a  sight  of  Indian  habitations  (some  of  them 
stone)  I  never  saw.  There  is  a  broad  street  and  the 
houses  built  regularly.  J.  J.  Oke  has  a  nice  residence 
with  the  St.  Lawrence  beating  up  against  a  stone  wall 
that  does  not  seem  more  than  fifty  feet  from  the  window 
where  I  sat.  He  confirmed  the  impression  that  the  body 
of  the  people  here  were  Roman  Catholics  and  also  all 
the  directors  of  the  government  schools.  The  Methodists 
however  have  a  school  of  their  own  which  we  visited ; 
the  fact  that  such  a  school  is  tolerated  is  an  evidence 
that  light  is  springing  up  and  surely  it  is  the  Lord's  will, 
that  to  those  who  sit  in  darkness  light  shall  be  manifest. 


470  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i903 

and  some  of  his  servants  must  be  pioneers  in  the  work. 
We  were  told  that  the  Reservation  at  Caughnawaga  is 
nine  miles  long  and  six  wide  and  inhabited  by  3000  In- 
dians ;  2300  residing  in  the  town,  the  men  mostly 
mechanics  and  some  doing  business  for  themselves.  They 
have  a  good  store  kept  by  an  Indian.  The  700  Indians 
outside  of  the  town  are  mostly  farmers  who  have  a  good 
market  for  their  produce.  J.  J.  Oke  said  that  in  the 
evening  the  attendance  at  his  meetings  was  much  larger 
than  in  the  morning  as  the  Roman  Catholics  came,  not 
being  seen  as  in  the  day  time.  He  spoke  of  one  hundred 
to  one  hundred  and  twenty  attending,  whereas  the  enroll- 
ment as  Methodists  is  forty-eight. 

Eleventh  month  2/.  From  Hogansburg  we  were  taken 
a  mile  to  the  residence  of  Alexander  Solomon  who  was 
not  at  home.  His  wife  gave  us  a  good  welcome.  Alexan- 
der Solomon's  mother  on  hearing  her  daughter-in-law  say 
"A  Quaker  Joseph  S.  Elkinton"  stood  up  saying  in 
Indian  which  was  interpreted  that  she  had  been  thinking 
of  me  all  morning  and  my  father  talked  to  her  in  Seneca ; 
"very  glad,  very  glad."  It  was  one  of  the  choicest  and 
most  remarkable  visits  since  leaving  home.  After  I 
offered  what  I  had  to  say  in  a  religious  line,  she  rose  and 
made  a  very  feeling  and  beautiful  response. 

Eleventh  month  28.  The  Methodist  minister  took  us 
from  Hogansburg  to  St.  Regis,  where  we  found  a  man 
willing  to  take  us  over  in  a  boat  to  Cornwall  Island  to 
visit  Thomas  Lory  White,  who  twenty-four  years  ago, 


Age  73      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  471 

with  chief  Joseph  Onesakamat  paddled  Joseph  Walton 
and  myself  across  the  St.  Lawrence  River  through  the 
fioating  ice,  such  a  perilous  journey.  Thomas  recognized 
me  and  we  had  a  touching  visit. 

Eleventh  month  50.  We  have  finished  our  service 
among  the  Indians  and  leaving  the  minister's  house  with 
kindly  expressions  from  him  and  his  wife  desiring  our 
safe  return  home  and  a  blessing  on  our  future  work,  we 
leave  the  neighborhood  of  St.  Regis  for  Xew  York  and 
Philadelphia. 

Twelfth  month  24.  The  business  meeting  of  our 
Monthly  Meeting  was  opened  in  joint  session  when  I 
gave  my  report  and  returned  the  minute  granted  me  in 
the  Fifth  month.  I  stated  that  the  service  was  begun 
under  a  sense  that  it  would  be  attended  with  exercise, 
exposure  and  probably  hardship,  but  I  took  courage  from 
the  expression  made  at  the  time  the  minute  was  granted 
and  I  had  witnessed  the  fulfillment  of  what  had  been 
said  on  that  occasion.  Having  been  well  received  in  all 
places  visited,  it  was  a  confirmation  that  the  work  was 
of  the  Lord  and  with  the  measure  of  holy  help  mercifully 
vouchsafed  to  myself  and  those  who  joined  me  in  the 
work,  the  service  had  been  performed.  The  retrospect 
was  attended  with  feelings  of  quiet  and  comfort  and  a 
settlement  in  the  feeling  that  the  Lord  was  not  only  able 
but  willing  to  sustain  those  engaged  in  the  work.  Zebedee 
Haines  with  a  minute  from  his  Monthly  Meeting  accom- 


472  JOSEPH  S.  ELKINTON  1903 

panied  me  in  the  visit  to  six  of  the  tribes  in  New  York 
State  and  a  Friend  (Wm.  Alekeel)  in  New  York  went 
with  me  through  New  England.  In  Massachusetts, 
John  H.  DilHngham  took  an  interest  by  entertainment  in 
his  home  and  planning  and  assisting  in  carrying  on  the 
work  on  Cape  Cod  and  Martha's  Vineyard.  Returning 
home  for  a  season  Zebedee  Haines  had  a  renewal  of  his 
minute  and  was  with  me  until  the  service  was  completed. 
In  the  Canadian  Provinces  where  the  Roman  Catholics 
had  considerable  influence  over  the  Indians,  fewer  meet- 
ings were  held  but  the  work  was  carried  on  from  house 
to  house,  except  where  we  could  meet  in  the  School- 
house  or  Council-house.  No  offence  seemed  to  be  taken 
anywhere  and  the  ministry  of  Zebedee  Haines  was  ac- 
ceptable wherever  we  went.  Whilst  there  is  the  curse 
of  intoxicating  drink  and  other  evils  to  be  contended 
with,  from  the  actions  of  unprincipled  men,  yet  the 
general  condition  of  the  Indians  had  improved;  they 
were  better  clothed  and  better  housed;  the  blanket  and 
the  wigwam  had  disappeared.  There  was  no  house  we 
visited,  but  some  one  or  more  of  the  occupants  could 
speak  the  English  language,  owing  to  the  schooling  of 
the  children.  Their  greetings  and  partings  were  in  a 
very  pleasant  spirit  and  generally  accompanied  with  an 
expression  of  thanks.  In  the  Canadian  Provinces  there 
seemed  to  be  a  measure  of  light  that  had  broken  forth  in 
contrast  to  the  Unitarian,  and  it  did  seem  as  if  there 


Age  73      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE         473 

was  a  harvest  field  for  qualified  laborers;  and  those 
Friends  who  had  gone  out  before  us  had  left  a  good 
savor  and  so  may  we  trust  that  in  our  late  visit  we  have 
left  an  open  door. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 
Visit  to  Miners  in  Pennsylvania. 

Twelfth  month  jo.  May  the  Lord  help  me  in  the  dis- 
charge of  my  respective  appointments  and  responsi- 
bilities, for  it  is  a  solemn  thing  to  tread  the  Courts  of 
the  Lord,  and  we  would  hope  for  it  to  be  done  in  such  a 
way  as  to  find  acceptance. 

Tzvelfth  month  31.  My  dear  wife  had  a  desire  for  the 
collection  at  our  house  of  those  of  her  relatives  living 
in  and  near  our  city.  It  resulted  in  seventy-eight  re- 
sponding to  the  invitation  and  they  were  here  from  6 
to  8  this  P.  M.  A  choice  company,  who  appeared  to 
enjoy  themselves  and  I  was  well  satisfied  with  their 
being  thus  together,  and  I  do  not  doubt  my  Malinda  will 
enjoy  the  restrospect  of  having  her  relatives  together. 
This  I  might  say  about  closes  the  exercises  of  the  year, 
having  partaken  of  the  Lord's  mercies  and  loving  kind- 
ness and  hoping  for  a  closer  walk  with  Him  and  maturing 
for  the  final  change  that  must  ere  long  await,  hope  to 
receive  of  the  Lord  the  greatest  of  all  favors,  even  that 
of  an  endless  life  of  blessedness.  Blessed  and  praised 
be  the  name  of  the  Lord. 

First  month  14,  1904.  We  had  a  favored  meeting  this 
morning.  I  was  led  to  express  myself  in  supplication 
that  told  of  the  hidden  exercise  of  my  heart,  and  inter- 

474 


Age  74      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  475 

ceded  for  the  compassionate  regard  of  our  Heavenly 
Father  to  be  continued,  that  whilst  desiring  to  fill  the 
place  designed  for  us,  we  might  so  far  as  consistent  with 
the  Divine  will  be  enlightened  to  know  the  design  of 
the  Almighty  in  the  dispensations  in  the  line  of  his 
judgments. 

Would  that  our  young  people  could  more  generally 
bring  their  minds  to  the  observance  of  our  testimonies  to 
plainness  of  speech,  behavior  and  apparel,  when 
minglmg  with  others ;  it  would  show  forth  the  beauty 
there  is  in  our  principles  and  the  value  of  them  in  keeping 
to  simplicity  and  Godly  sincerity. 

Third  month  4.  Since  the  great  fire  in  Baltimore 
which  occurred  last  month  and  according  to  accounts, 
thirteen  hundred  buildings  were  destroyed  with  an  esti- 
mated loss  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  million 
dollars,  my  mind  has  been  turned  in  sympathy  to  those 
who  had  so  suddenly  been  deprived  of  so  much  property 
and  submitted  to  so  much  inconvenience  and  discomfort 
in  being  obliged  to  seek  other  quarters.  As  it  was  a 
remarkably  fine  day  I  concluded  to  go  to  Baltimore, 
which  I  did  and  engaged  a  cab  to  take  me  through  the 
burnt  district  and  oh,  the  scene  of  devastation !  A 
pathway  existed  through  where  the  streets  had  been, 
the  rubbish  being  shovelled  up  on  the  sidewalks.  Riding 
alone,  gave  opportunity  for  contemplation ;  how  uncer- 
tain were  the  riches  men  might  accumulate  as  represented 


476  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1904 

in  buildings,  mining  stocks  or  other  investments  belong- 
ing to  this  earth !  Man's  highest  interest  stood  in  having 
treasures  laid  up  in  Heaven  where  neither  moth  nor  rust 
could  corrupt  nor  thieves  break  through  or  steal,  such 
are  secure  from  either  fire  or  flood.  Made  a  few  calls 
and  returned  home  feeling  that  it  had  been  an  instructive 
day. 

Fourth  month.  In  reference  to  the  meeting  held  on 
Fifth-day  morning  at  Arch  Street  during  Yearly  Meeting 
week  the  following  was  put  in  "The  Press"  by  its 
religious  editor:  "The  reverent  attitude,  the  expectant 
hush,  the  placid  faces  looking  straight  forward ;  the  sub- 
dued light  and  the  sense  of  complete  separation  from  the 
world,  all  promoted  the  spirit  of  worship.  There  was  no 
programme,  no  presiding  officers,  no  prepared  addresses, 
each  spoke  as  the  spirit  moved  him,  the  orderliness  and 
appropriateness  of  the  service  impressed  the  visitor." 

Fifth  month  4.  We  are  at  our  Malvern  home,  it  being 
my  intention  to  spend  as  much  of  this  month  here  as  I 
well  can,  trusting  that  the  sight  of  the  green  grass,  the 
opening  blossoms  and  the  budding  leaves  will  have  a 
refreshing  effect  upon  my  system,  as  the  physical,  mental 
and  spiritual  faculties  seem  to  sympathize  with  one 
another. 

Fifth  month  ip.  Instead  of  going  into  Arch  Street 
Meeting,  I  remained  at  home  and  had  a  precious  season 
in  the  company  of  my  beloved  wife ;  she  has  been 
engaged  in  examining  some  manuscripts  that  gave  an 


Age  74      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  477 

account  of  some  of  her  ancestors,  amongst  whom  it 
could  surely  be  said,  there  were  those  who  feared  God, 
and  hated  covetousness,  and  had  a  very  good  standing 
with  their  friends,  filling  important  positions  in  our 
religious  Society,  leaving  a  good  savor  behind  them. 

At  a  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends  of  Philadelphia,  held  Sixth 
month  23,  1904.  Convened  in  joint  session  of  Men  and  Women 
Friends. 

Joseph  S.  Elkinton,  an  approved  minister  of  this  meeting, 
informed  us  that  he  had  an  apprehension  that  it  might  be  in 
place  for  him  to  engage  in  religious  service  among  the  people 
in  general  within  the  limits  of  Goshen  Monthly  Meeting  of 
Friends,  holding  some  public  meetings,  particularly  in  places 
where  there  were  formerly  meetings  of  Friends. 

He  also  informed  us  that  he  felt  there  was  a  field  of  service 
for  him  in  the  interior  of  this  state,  particularly  in  the  mining 
districts,  where  of  late  years  much  suffering  has  been  experienced 
from  various  causes,  feeling  that  there  might  now  be  an  open- 
ness among  different  classes  of  people,  some  of  whose  hearts 
had  undoubtedly  been  turned  toward  the  Lord.  Such  service 
would  require  the  appointing  of  public  meetings. 

After  deliberate  consideration  and  much  expression  of  sym- 
pathy for  our  Friend,  and  approval  of  his  proposed  religious 
labors,  this  meeting  was  satisfied  to  give  him  liberty  to  engage 
in  them  and  to  appoint  such  public  meetings  as  he  may  feel 
called  to,  and  as  the  Lord  may  open  the  way  for;  desiring  that 
he  m^ay  be  divinely  guided  and  preserved. 

Taken  from  the  Minutes. 

Edwin  P.   Sellew, 
Anna  Walton,   Qerks. 

Ephraim  Smith,  Correspondent. 

Should  our  children  survive  us,  the  memory  of  fhe 
life  and  services  of  their  mother  will  doubtless  cause  her 
to  be  called  blessed  of  the  Lord,  not  only  having  had 
good  natural  abilities,  but  possessed  with  a  measure  of 


478  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i904 

religious  feeling  that  gave  enjoyment  to  her  friends  in 
her  lifetime  and  left  a  seal  on  their  hearts  and  memories. 

Seventh  month  31.  In  connection  with  my  religious 
service  in  this  neighborhood  within  the  limits  of  Goshen 
Monthly  Meeting,  I  have  endeavored  to  attend  with 
watchful  care,  openings  for  visiting  and  making  appoint- 
ments. 

Jonathan  E.  Rhoads  came  to  ]\Ialvern  to-day  to  be  with 
me  at  a  meeting  held  in  the  office  of  Charles  Hires  &  Co., 
designed  chiefly  for  the  operatives  in  the  factory.  I  was 
led  to  speak  chiefly  of  the  relation  between  employers 
and  employees,  and  the  peaceable  nature  of  the  Redeem- 
er's Kingdom.  Jonathan  E.  Rhoads  followed  and  was 
much  favored,  his  heart  being  with  me  in  the  work  and 
generally  in  the  same  line  of  thought,  but  more 
eminently  gifted  and  with  a  larger  measure  of  experi- 
ence ;  yet  all  may  have  that  which  will  satisfy  their  souls 
by  obedience  keeping  pace  with  knowledge.  Stars  are 
not  all  of  the  same  magnitude,  but  all  in  the  firmanent  of 
his  heavenly  creation  show  forth  his  glory,  and  we  have 
abundant  cause  to  worship  the  Lord  under  a  sense  that 
his  tender  mercies  are  over  all  his  works. 

Eighth  month  j.  I  would  encourage  the  reading  of 
the  literature  of  our  Society.  The  desire  of  my  heart  is 
that  there  might  be  more  of  a  willingness  to  suffer  for 
the  cause  of  Christ,  more  of  a  desire  to  be  found  in  the 
way  of  self-denial,  counting  the  reproach  of  Christ 
greater  riches  than  the  treasures  of  Egypt. 


Age  74      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  479 

Eighth  month  6.  The  hack  at  the  door  was  a  notifica- 
tion that  the  time  had  come  for  my  departure  from  home 
for  the  mining  district  to  engage  in  my  reHgious  labor 
in  that  field,  Easton  being  the  first  place  in  mind  as  a 
starting  point. 

Eighth  month  p.  After  considerable  exercise  of  mind 
in  regard  to  breaking  off  from  the  work  I  had  engaged 
in  about  Easton,  I  decided  to  return  to  Malvern  on  ac- 
count of  the  serious  illness  of  my  little  grandson  Ernest 
and  to  attend  the  funeral  of  Hiram  Roberts. 

Eighth  month  ii.  Again  called  at  son  Alfred's  not 
knowing  but  the  little  lamb  had  departed,  but  not  so; 
I  had  a  look  at  him  and  the  beam  that  was  on  his  counte- 
nance the  day  before  had  settled  into  a  marked  sweetness 
in  his  cheeks,  but  his  eyes  closed  and  his  breathing  grew 
shorter  which  continued  until  1.45  when  he  expired  in 
his  father's  arms. 

Eighth  month  13.  After  the  funeral  I  returned  to  the 
city  and  took  an  evening  train  for  Easton  to  resume  my 
religious  work. 

Eighth  month  24.  Had  a  conversation  to-day  with 
one  of  the  teachers  in  Easton  who  told  me  of  a  principal 
of  a  High  School  who  could  not  repeat  the  Lord's  Prayer 
and  had  to  get  someone  to  say  it  for  him,  which  reminded 
me  of  a  report  I  once  heard  of  a  Committee  of  Congress 
discussing  a  matter,  when  one  of  them  said  he  did  not 
believe  another  certain  member  could  say  the  Lord's 
Prayer  who  replied,  yes,  he  could  and  quoted : 


480  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i904 

"While  I  lay  me  down  to  sleep, 
I  pray  the  Lord  my  soul  to  keep, 
If  I  should  die  before  I  wake, 

I  pray  the  Lord,  my  soul  to  take." 

Whereupon  the  one  who  made  the  challenge  said,  "I 
did  not  know  that  you  knew  it."  How  sad  to  think  of 
such  learned  men  being  so  ignorant  in  the  school  of 
Christ. 

Eighth  month  2j.  I  had  an  unusual  experience  this 
evening  in  the  line  of  an  open-air  meeting.  In  a  pretty 
grove  there  were  about  two  hundred  gathered  in  and 
around  the  tent  holding  a  Camp  ]Meeting.  It  was  sug- 
gested that  someone  should  go  out  and  ask  the  men  and 
boys  to  be  quiet.  I  quickly  said  let  me  do  that,  and  on 
my  telling  them  that  it  was  my  opportunity  to  be  with 
them  and  I  would  be  glad  if  they  would  gather  round, 
they  did  so  and  showed  every  attention.  The  Truth  was 
in  dominion  as  I  unfolded  to  them  the  principles  of  truth 
and  righteousness  and  amongst  other  things,  I  told  them 
that  I  had  been  a  lover  of  the  Scriptures  from  my  youth 
up  and  I  wanted  them  to  be  the  same.  It  was  a  beautiful 
moonlight  night,  and  if  all  tent  meetings  could  be  as 
satisfactory  as  that  one  it  would  seem  like  a  good  way 
to  get  among  the  working  classes. 

Ninth  month  3.  Am  in  South  Bethlehem  and  it  is  a 
pretty  warm  morning. 

Ninth  month  4.  After  breakfast  I  felt  an  almost  irre- 
pressible impression  to  take  the  street  car  and  go  amongst 


Age  74      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  481 

some  of  the  poorer  class  of  the  people  in  South  Beth- 
lehem which  I  did  and  had  some  very  interesting  talks 
with  one  and  another  of  them. 

Ninth  month  6.    According  to  request  I  made  an  ap- 
pearance before  the  secretary  of  the  Borough  Council 
and  then  was  interviewed  by  the  Master  of  the  Market, 
who  gave  me  about  the  greatest  wrestle  in  spirit  than  I 
have  met  with.     The  Market-hall  was  rented  for  dances 
at  certain  times  and  he  did  not  want  to  say  anything  to 
spoil  that  business.    That  was  pretty  nearly  the  class  of 
people  I  wanted  to  meet  there  and  our  interview  was 
quite  protracted,  but  I  repeated  what  I  had  once  said 
to  a  Roman  Catholic  rector,  that  there  was  a  way  to  get 
along  with  one  another  and  it  was  our  business  to  find  it. 
He  said  he  was  of  that  persuasion.     I  told  him  that  as 
an  employer,  I  had  no  remembrance  of  asking  men  when 
engaging  them,  what  association  they  belonged  to  or  for 
whom  they  voted;  this  seemed  to  please  him  and  the 
interview  closed  by  his  saying,  'T  will  do  all  I  can  for 
you,"  and  as  I  filled  out  a  large  poster,  he  said  he  would 
fasten  it  up  in  the  front  window  where  everybody  could 
see    it    and    being   market-day,    it    was    a    pretty   good 
advertisement. 

Ninth  month  8.  At  Mauch  Chunk  I  took  a  trolley  to 
go  to  the  coal  breakers  about  five  miles  away  but  met 
w^ith  a  man  who  advised  me  to  go  to  Lansford ;  he  said 
he  was  an  assistant  engineer  for  the  com.pany  and  that  I 
might  speak  to  the  foreman  of  the  miners  to  let  me  go 


482  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1904 

into  one  of  the  mines.  I  was  told  that  three  hundred 
and  twenty  tons  of  coal  were  shipped  to  Philadelphia 
from  that  section  in  1820  and  three  million  of  tons  in 
1893. 

I  found  the  foreman  at  his  post  at  the  mouth  of  the 
breaker.  He  loaned  me  an  overcoat  and  miner's  cap  and 
the  boss  of  the  mine  had  me  take  off  my  boots  and  put 
on  a  pair  of  his  big  gum  boots  which  was  all  very  well 
for  there  was  water  a  foot  deep  in  places  and  we  had  to 
step  into  the  water  to  let  the  cars,  drawn  by  mules,  pass. 
I  was  in  three  chambers  where  we  travelled  with  the 
safety  lamps. 

Returned  to  Mauch  Chunk  and  lo !  The  Fair  is  adver- 
tised to  be  here  next  week.  Bethlehem,  Allentown  and 
Lehighton  all  in  train  and  I  am  on  the  track  of  them 
almost  without  knowing  it. 

Tenth  month  4.  Met  a  number  of  children  coming  out 
of  one  of  the  schools  in  Tamaqua  and  stopped  to  speak 
with  them.  The  superintendent  came  and  spoke  to  me 
and  we  had  an  interesting  conversation ;  he  is  about  one 
year  older  than  myself  and  was  a  miner  until  he  married, 
when  he  began  teaching  school  and  is  now  serving  his 
fiftieth  term.  He  volunteered  to  take  me  to  the  High 
School  which  I  accepted  and  was  in  five  of  the  rooms 
out  of  seven  in  the  school  and  had  something  to  offer 
in  each  of  them. 

It  has  been  heavy  work  in  Tamaqua;  I  thought  one 
man  I  met  to-day  was  about  ready  to  assail  me  with  a 


Age  74      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  483 

whip,  he  was  so  full  of  liquor  he  could  not  walk  or  talk 
straight,  and  was  full  of  fight,  but  my  defense  seemed 
to  be  in  showing  him  with  steadiness  that  I  was  not  likely 
to  be  moved  or  frightened  by  him ;  but  I  felt  as  I  trudged 
on  my  way  that  when  my  work  was  really  done  there 
would  be  a  rest  for  me  and  I  will  again  say  that  whilst 
I  may  weary  in  the  work  I  am  not  weary  of  it,  and  if 
the  Apostle  could  glory  in  his  infirmities  or  tribulations 
I  might  rejoice  if  counted  worthy  to  suffer  because  of 
devotion  to  the  cause  of  Truth  and  Righteousness,  and 
I  desire  to  be  counted  worthy  of  the  continued  love  and 
regard  of  our  Heavenly  Father  and  the  extension  of  the 
same  to  my  beloved  companion  in  life  and  our  de- 
scendants. 

Tenth  month  5.  To-day  I  went  from  Tamaqua  to 
Coal  Dale  and  on  my  return  while  waiting  for  the  car  I 
fell  into  company  with  a  group  of  young  men  who  were 
miners ;  I  received  a  good  deal  of  mining  information 
from  some  of  them,  but  one  of  them  proved  to  be  a  real 
bad  fellow.  He  followed  me  into  the  car  and  sat  down 
by  me ;  he  tried  to  bamboozle  me  by  asserting  that  I  had 
paid  his  fare  and  insisted  that  I  should  receive  a  nickel 
from  him.  I  would  not  receive  it  and  told  him  I  had 
given  the  conductor  only  one  fare  and  the  conductor 
supported  my  statement.  He  then  broke  out  and  gave 
me  the  most  open  attack  that  I  have  ever  received,  saying 
"Are  you  so  foolish  as  to  believe  there  is  a  God,"  and 
proceeded  to  convince  me  of  the  foolishness  of  it.     I 


484  JOSEPH   S.   EI.KINTON  1904 

replied  that  he  would  be  utterly  unable  to  shake  my  faith, 
and  I  did  not  know  that  any  good  would  come  by  arguing 
with  one  who  was  settled  in  the  belief  there  Avas  no  God, 
that  would  be  for  the  spirit  of  God  breaking  in  upon  the 
darkness  of  such.  He  believed  like  Ingersoll,  and  had 
travelled  over  the  earth  and  had  never  seen  anyone  to  be 
called  truly  pious.  I  replied,  I  had  known  truly  virtuous 
men  and  women  and  had  a  very  comfortable  hope  in  their 
death;  I  had  no  wish  to  die  like  Ingersoll  which  was  a 
very  miserable  end ;  and  Thomas  Payne  remarked  when 
someone  said  to  him  that  he  looked  like  the  Devil,  "if  it 
were  only  looking  like  him  it  would  do."  The  young  man 
said,  'T  am  acquainted  with  the  Devil,"  to  which  I  re- 
plied, "That  was  plain  to  be  seen."  He  went  on  to  say, 
"To  think  there  is  a  just  God  giving  Rockefeller  what 
he  has  and  keeping  a  thousand  paupers  at  a  dollar  a  day, 
if  there  was  justice  it  should  be  divided  with  me;  what 
have  you  to  say  to  that?"  My  reply  was  that  God  was 
just,  merciful,  righteous  and  gracious  and  giveth  accord- 
ing to  ability  to  receive;  I  was  not  Rockefeller's  judge, 
but  no  doubt  he  with  the  rest  of  us  will  receive  as  our 
work  shall  be,  but  no  one  who  received  his  dollar  need 
be  a  pauper  although  it  might  be  that  some  should  have 
more  than  they  get.  IMuch  more  was  said  which  was 
hard  and  painful  for  me  and  when  he  said  "Who  is  Jesus 
Christ?"  preceding  it  with  a  very  impious  expression,  I 
told  him  it  was  painful  to  be  obliged  to  hear  his  blas- 
phemy, Jesus  Christ  was  my  Saviour  and  his  name  was 


Age  74      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE         485 

sacred  to  me,  and  after  a  few  more  words  to  the  same 
import  I  rose  and  took  another  seat.  When  I  left  the 
car,  I  travelled  a  very  rough  dark  lane  to  the  residence 
of  the  Methodist  minister  where  arrangements  were 
made  for  a  meeting  next  First-day  evening. 

Tenth  month  6.  In  reviewing  my  experiences  yester- 
day I  have  much  cause  for  thankfulness  for  the  measure 
of  support  granted  me.  When  I  was  down  in  the  mine 
a  week  ago  I  thought  I  never  would  go  down  another, 
but  a  young  man  that  I  met  said  he  would  pilot  and  take 
care  of  me  if  I  would  go  down  his  mine.  We  descended 
840  feet  and  then  walked  what  seemed  about  a  mile  until 
we  came  to  a  shute  with  what  might  be  called  a  chicken 
ladder,  two  men  helped  me  up  and  one  of  the  colliers 
reached  out  his  hand  and  I  was  in  a  miner's  cave  and 
saw  the  modern  operations  of  working  and  sending  coal 
down  in  shutes  into  the  cars  which  were  on  a  lower  level. 
I  felt  glad  I  had  come  and  trudging  back  to  the  shaft 
about  the  time  for  quitting  work,  saw  about  two  hundred 
of  the  miners  with  their  lamps  in  their  caps;  it  was  an 
inspiring  sight  and  it  was  something  to  meet  with  them. 
I  had  hoped  for  something  of  a  meeting  in  the  mine  and 
now  I  had  the  satisfaction.  I  was  also  shown  the  hospital 
and  magazine- room  which  could  soon  make  trouble  if  the 
dynamite  were  accidentally  started  off. 

Eleventh  month  22.  Our  last  meeting  in  this  service 
is  over  and  I  feel  that  it  may  be  said  it  ended  well,  the 
minister  said  on  parting  "The  Lord  is  with  you?" 


486  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  1904 

Eleventh  month  <?j.  Reached  home  at  9.30  A.  M.  with 
feelings  of  gratitude  at  finding  my  family  well. 

Charles  Wagner  and  his  companion,  X.  G.  Koenig, 
took  dinner  with  us  this  evening,  our  children  being  also 
present. 

Eleventh  month  24.  In  a  joint-session  of  our  Monthly 
Meeting,  I  reported  that  in  the  measure  of  light  and 
ability  given  me  I  had  held  meetings  in  the  limits  of 
Goshen  Monthly  Meeting  and  in  the  Mining  Districts. 
Ephraim  Smith,  Jonathan  E.  Rhoads  and  Joseph  Thom- 
asson  had  been  with  me  when  they  could.  In  the  mining 
district  the  life  and  power  of  religion  with  many  were 
at  a  low  ebb,  the  majority  seemingly  under  the  influence 
of  priestcraft.  And  whilst  we  had  occasion  to  hang  our 
heads  because  of  the  iniquity  in  our  city,  we  had  our 
privileges  compared  with  what  was  to  be  seen  in  the 
interior,  yet  amidst  it  all  there  seemed  to  be  those  who 
were  under  concern,  and  favored  with  a  good  measure 
of  the  spirit  of  Truth,  and  given  more  of  an  insight  unto 
the  peaceable  nature  of  the  Gospel  dispensation,  more  of 
a  united  concert  of  action  against  the  crying  evils  of  the 
day,  and  more  of  a  testimony  to  the  peaceable  nature  of 
the  Redeemer's  kingdom,  in  their  prayers  craving  for 
wars  to  cease. 

In  regard  to  the  condition  of  the  mining  population 
their  habitations  were  greatly  in  advance  of  what  they 
were  in  my  earlier  days.  There  were  comfortable  ar- 
rangements in  their  homes  and  I  had  been  comfortably 


Age  74     DIARY  AND   CORRESPONDENCE  487 

and  hospitably  entertained  in  some  of  them.  I  was  not  in- 
sensible of  danger  during  the  trip,  but  the  greatest  grief 
to  me  was  in  the  higher  schools ;  while  it  was  to  the  credit 
of  the  state  to  have  the  children  schooled  by  the  most 
intelligent  and  interested  teachers  yet  it  was  cause  for 
grief  that  some  things  are  instilled  in  the  minds  of  the 
students,  matters  which  should  be  considered  sacred,  are 
treated  as  absurdities. 

Extract  from  a  letter: 

Tivelfth  month.  Whilst  out  on  a  religious  visit,  at  the 
close  of  a  meeting  where  I  had  been  given  an  opportunity 
to  address  the  congregation,  it  was  announced  by  the 
pastor  that  there  would  be  a  baptism,  whereupon  an 
infant  was  brought  to  the  front,  and  their  usual  cere- 
mony was  performed  with  the  sprinkling  of  a  few  drops 
of  water  on  its  head.  There  was  not  as  much  fuss  made 
as  when  in  fording  the  Allegheny  River  with  my  father 
and  mother,  mother  and  I  received  a  baptism  by  being 
suddenly  jolted  out  into  the  river.  I  was  then  about  one 
year  of  age.  J.  S.  E. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 
Closing  AIoxths,  Death  and  Burial. 

First  month  i,  ipoj.  ^My  mind  has  from  time  to  time 
been  turned  toward  Haddonfield  Meeting.  I  concluded 
to  go  and  was  welcomed  by  the  Friends  of  Haddonfield 
and  an  open  door  was  granted  me ;  I  was  engaged  in 
testimony  and  supplication. 

First  month  j.  A  stormy  day  but  I  made  several  calls, 
amongst  the  rest  one  at  the  Home  for  Aged  and  Infirm 
Colored  People. 

First  month  4.  Attended  to  divers  concerns  during  the 
day  then  went  to  Frankford  and  after  making  a  few  calls 
there  attended  Frankford  Meeting,  which  is  held  in  the 
evening  to  accommodate  business  men. 

First  month  ig.  Our  meeting  at  Arch  Street,  I  be- 
lieve, was  held  to  the  honor  of  Truth.  Ability  was  given 
me  to  supplicate  the  great  and  holy  name  for  the  support 
of  the  honest-hearted,  and  of  those  who  were  laboring 
for  Truth's  sake ;  as  also  that  the  thoughts  of  the  people 
at  large  might  be  more  and  more  turned  to  consider  their 
ways  and  dwell  on  the  majesty  of  the  King  of  Heaven. 

First  month  2^.  Came  to  Atlantic  City  and  took  quar- 
ters at  the  Archdale  and  have  made  several  calls ;  the  day 
has  been  a  perfect  winter  day  and  feeling  tempted  to 
remain  over  another  day,  have  written  home  to  that  efifect, 
as  I  think  the  air  is  doing  me  good. 

488 


Age  75      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  489 

Second  month  lo.  Received  a  telegram  stating  that 
Huldah  H.  Bonwill  had  deceased  and  instructions  for 
funeral  were  requested.  Not  knowing  anyone  more 
properly  called  on  than  myself  to  attend  to  the  matter 
I  telegraphed  that  I  would  be  at  the  Asylum  at  Taunton 
on  the  morrow. 

Second  month  12.  Job  S  Gidley  accompanied  me  to 
the  Asylum,  w^here  we  were  courteously  received.  Navi- 
gation had  closed  to  Nantucket  and  it  was  impracticable 
even  in  Taunton  to  dig  a  grave,  so  it  was  decided  to  have 
the  body  embalmed  and  placed  in  a  vault  until  navigation 
to  Nantucket  should  be  reopened.  It  w'as  bitter  cold, 
four  below  zero.  I  returned  with  Job  S.  Gidley  and 
attended  his  meeting,  but  when  I  arrived  at  his  home,  I 
experienced  something  of  a  reaction  and  rested  on  the 
lounge  much  of  the  time  under  their  hospitable  roof. 
J.  S.  G.  kindly  acompanied  me  to  Providence,  w^here  he 
saw  me  start  for  Philadelphia.  It  was  a  disturbed  night 
but  I  arrived  home  safely. 

Second  month  16.  In  our  meeting  at  Arch  Street  this 
morning  my  son  Joseph  appeared  in  the  ministry  in  a 
way  that  certainly  had  the  attention  of  the  meeting,  eye 
and  ear ;  and  if  I  should  not  hear  him  again,  I  should  in 
all  probability  remember  it  as  a  remarkable  delivery.  He 
is  gifted ;  and  his  father  has  his  anxieties  concerning  him 
and  needs  to  be  rightly  exercised  in  prayer  for  each  of 
our  children,  that  the  preserving  power  may  not  leave 
them. 


490  JOSEPH   S.    ELKINTON  1905 

Second  month  24.  Our  son  Joseph  left  on  the  mid- 
night train  for  San  Francisco  and  Japan  in  a  probable 
five  months'  trip  should  his  life  be  spared. 

Second  month  25.  In  our  Meeting  for  Sufferings, 
after  considerable  being  said  on  the  subject,  it  was  de- 
cided to  call  on  the  Alayor  and  acquaint  him  with  our 
concern  that  he  should  discharge  his  duties  with  faith- 
fulness under  the  sense  of  the  responsibility  and  account- 
ability. A  minute  was  made  and  John  H.  Dillingham, 
George  J.  Scattergood  and  myself  Avere  appointed  to 
present  the  Mayor  with  a  copy  of  the  minute  and  as  way 
opened  to  deliver  what  might  seem  to  be  called  for.  After 
the  close  of  the  meeting  we  went  to  the  office  of  the 
Mayor  and  were  courteously  received.  We  stated  our 
case  and  what  was  felt  to  be  called  for  in  the  line  of  the 
suppression  of  vice.  In  his  response,  it  was  evident,  he 
wanted  us  to  think  he  was  endeavoring  to  promote  the 
welfare  of  the  city,  and  that  newspaper  reports  were 
exaggerated,  which  in  all  probability  is  sometimes  the 
case,  but  it  was  to  be  supposed  that  the  Mayor  knew  of 
disorders  that  he  had  not  exerted  himself  to  have  ad- 
justed. The  interview  lasted  about  forty-five  minutes, 
we  were  treated  very  courteously  throughout,  and  whilst 
clothed  with  sorrow  that  their  is  just  cause  for  the  indig- 
nation that  has  been  aroused,  the  Meeting  for  Sufferings 
and  its  delegates  have  done  their  part  for  the  time  being. 

Third  month  5.  Remained  home  from  meeting  this 
afternoon  with  my  Malinda.     Dr.  McCollin  not  seeing 


Age  75      DIARY   AND   CORRESPONDENCE  491 

me  at  meeting  came  to  call  on  me,  which  I  received  as 
timely  as  I  have  not  felt  up  to  my  average  health  for 
some  days. 

Third  month  i6.  Attended  the  Quarterly  Meeting  at 
Haddonfield,  about  400  in  attendance  in  the  first  meet- 
ing. I  spoke  of  maintaining  a  living  concern  for  the 
welfare  of  the  Church;  and  before  the  shutters  were 
closed  I  was  engaged  in  intercession  that  not  only  in 
that  but  also  in  other  parts  of  the  heritage,  the  hearts  of 
the  people  might  be  engaged  in  pleading  with  the  Lord 
for  His  mercies  and  compassionate  regard,  and  He  pos- 
sessed of  a  right  insight  into  the  state  of  the  Church 
and  communion  at  large,  nothing  doubting  but  amidst 
all  the  strife  and  confusion,  all  was  under  the  control  of 
Him  who  is  God  over  all.  Blessed  forever  be  His  holy 
name. 

It  was  a  question  on  my  starting  out  in  the  morning 
whether  I  had  physical  strength  to  justify  going  to  Had- 
donfield, but  when  engaged  in  the  line  of  apprehended 
duty,  there  may  be  experienced  a  measure  of  life  and 
power ;  and  we  surely  have  reason  to  know  that  the  Lord 
is  the  best  paymaster  and  that  they  who  wait  on  the  Lord 
know  of  a  renewal  of  strength. 

Fourth  month  3.  The  second  passage  to  Taunton  has 
been  effected,  Job  S.  Gidley  and  wife  with  me.  He 
called  at  the  undertaker's  and  found  everything  favor- 
able for  starting  on  the  boat  for  Nantucket  at  1  P.  M. 
On  arrival  at  Nantucket  we  were  met  by  a  cousin  of 


492  JOSEPH   S.  ELKINTON  1905 

Huldah  H.  Bonwill's  and  taken  to  his  residence,  and  2.30 
is  appointed  for  such  as  incHne  to  meet  here  for  an  hour 
or  so ;  the  grave-yard  is  within  a  few  minutes'  walk.  On 
the  boat  J.  S.  G.  secured  me  a  room  which  was  all  very 
well,  as  I  could  prop  myself  up  on  the  lounge  and  see 
the  water  as  we  wended  our  way  to  Nantucket. 

From  a  letter  dated  Malvern,  Fourth  month  7th,  1905 : 
My  dear  son  William  : 

We  made  our  passage  here  yesterday.  .  .  .  The 
hack  was  in  waiting  at  the  foot  of  the  Malvern  steps ; 
the  windows  of  the  house  were  all  open  and  thy  aunt 
R.  P.  H.  at  the  door  to  welcome  us  into  the  house  well 
warmed,  and  I  could  see  nothing  lacking  to  call  or  make 
a  retreat. 

Mother  said  this  A.  M.  that  she  felt  more  like  being 
here  than  getting  here,  and  I  believe  contentment  reigns 
under  the  feeling  that  with  whatever  difficulties  there 
may  have  been  or  may  be  with  us,  we  are  crowned  with 
many  mercies. 

With  love,  thy  father, 

J.  S.  E. 

From  a  letter  dated  Malvern,  Pa.,  Fourth  month  11th, 
1905: 

I  think  there  is  a  slight  gain  in  energy,  but  weakness 
of  the  chest  allows  very  little  walking  and  not  much 
talking.  I  have  done  but  little  reading,  but  can  take  hold 
of  the  pen  with  a  little  more  energy.  It  is  a  fine  thing 
that  mother  and  the  rest  are  all  as  well  as  they  are,  and 


Age  75      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  493 

I  endeavor  to  accept  my  situation  with  a  measure  of 
quietness  and  composure.  The  breaking  forth  of  leaves 
and  buds  has  an  animating  efifect,  but  there  is  some 
exercise  of  mind  attending  the  proper  meeting  and  dis- 
pensing of  some  of  the  sober  problems  of  life. 

Aflfectionately,  thy  father, 
(To  W.  T.  E.)  J.  S.  E. 


After  the  above  letter  dated  Fourth  month  11th,  1905, 
there  seems  to  be  nothing  from  the  pen  of  Joseph  S. 
Elkinton. 

Before  leaving  home  on  his  last  trip  to  Nantucket,  his 
family  was  greatly  exercised  on  account  of  his  physical 
condition,  and  when  endeavoring  to  persuade  him  to 
take  a  rest  at  the  sea-shore,  it  was  suggested  the  house- 
hold should  move  out  to  the  summer  residence  at  Alal- 
vem,  which  seemed  agreeable  to  all  parties.  Within 
three  weeks'  time  the  home  was  in  readiness  and  on  the 
day  J.  S.  E.  returned  from  New  England  (4-6-1905) 
the  transition  was  made;  but  on  arrival  at  Malvern  it 
was  evident  that  his  condition  was  more  serious  than  had 
been  previously  realized,  as  he  was  quite  prostrated  by 
the  journey. 

Some  days  passed  before  he  felt  able  to  walk  out,  and 
then  a  short  stroll  over  the  premises  was  accomplished 


494  JOSEPH    S.   ELKINTON  1905 

with  difficulty  and  accompanied  with  great  weakness. 
The  least  exertion,  especially  ascending  steps,  caused 
such  oppression  and  difficulty  of  breathing  that  he  would 
request  someone  to  remain  by  him  during  these  attacks. 
It  was  noticeable  that  his  strength  was  failing  daily. 
Having  been  appointed  a  representative  to  the  Yearly 
Meeting,  he  felt  it  his  duty  to  attend  all  of  its  sittings, 
and  could  not  be  induced  to  yield  to  the  judgment  of 
either  his  physician  or  friends.  Through  his  indomitable 
courage,  perseverence  and  will  power,  he  performed  the 
service,  attended  with  great  suffering  from  weakness, 
and  with  such  narrow  escapes  of  falling  by  the  way,  that 
words  are  inadequate  to  describe  them.  The  Everlasting 
Arm  alone  could  have  supported  him  as  he  was  carried 
through  from  day  to  day.  He  left  the  last  meeting  on 
Sixth-day  to  return  to  Malvern  in  time  for  a  funeral 
he  desired  to  attend,  where  he  engaged  in  vocal  service. 
When  he  reached  home  that  afternoon,  some  time  was 
spent  in  resting  before  he  had  sufficient  strength  to 
mount  the  stairs,  which  proved  to  be  for  the  last  time. 

Early  in  the  following  week,  his  physician  brought  out 
a  specialist  in  consultation  (Dr.  Taylor)  when  our  worst 
fears  were  confirmed,  his  case  was  hopeless  and  his  days 
were  numbered. 

On  his  75th  birthday  (4-27)  he  so  desired  to  be  up  and 
dressed  to  receive  his  children  who  came  to  see  him,  that 
it  was  so  granted  and  he  spent  the  day  in  a  reclining- 


Age  75      DIARY  AND  CORRESPONDENCE  495 

chair,  enjoying  the  society  of  his  family.    From  that  time 
he  failed  more  rapidly  and  was  not  able  to  be  up  again. 

Throughout  his  illness,  and  while  consciousness  lasted, 
he  ever  held  tenaciously  to  life  with  a  gleam  of  hope,  and 
whilst  he  frequently  expressed  a  desire  to  move  amongst 
men  again,  he  evinced  a  submissive  spirit  to  the  will  of 
his  Heavenly  Father  and  made  many  expressions  that 
gave  evidence  of  being  at  peace  with  his  Maker.  Some 
of  these  comments  were  noted  by  his  son  W.  T.  E.  from 
which  are  taken  the  following: 

Fifth  month  8.  "I  hope  to  rally ;  it  requires  patience." 
On  being  told  he  was  very  patient,  he  replied,  "Patience 
is  one  of  the  Christian  virtues."  "Forsake  me  not  when 
my  strength  faileth,  this  has  not  been  done."  "I  want 
the  people  to  know  I  am  not  ashamed  of  my  religion, 
neither  am  I  ashamed  of  the  gospel."  "I  want  to  show 
a  humble  and  contrite  spirit."  "I  am  not  without  hope 
and  I  desire  a  blessing  upon  my  children." 

Asked  if  he  had  a  message  for  ^Mary  and  Joseph,  he 
said,  "Tell  them  I  desire  their  best  welfare  in  every  way; 
I  am  not  able  to  write  to  them,  but  my  thoughts  are  with 
them." 

Fifth  month  p.  "I  am  glad  my  thought  can  run  on 
the  Saviour.  If  my  work  is  done,  so  be  it,  I  thought  I 
had  a  light  ahead,  but  I  want  to  be  submissive  to  the 
Divine  Will  and  I  want  the  people  to  know  I  have  a  hope, 
a  blessed  hope  of  a  glorious  eternity."     "I  desire  the 


d96  JOSEPH   S.   ELKIXTON  1905 

divine  support  for  the  children  and  that  they  may  be 
supported  through  life." 

Fifth  month  12.    "Thank  friends  for  their  kind  letters 

and  messages,  I  hope  to  meet  them  as  aforetime,  if  the 
Lord  will,  but  if  otherwise  I  am  content,  I  have  a  blessed 
hope  of  a  glorious  immortality." 

"I  will  pray  the  Father  and  He  will  give  you  the  spirit 
of  Truth  and  ye  know  Him  and  He  shall  be  in  you." 
"Behold  thou  hast  a  little  faith,  hold  fast  that  thou  hast 
and  let  no  man  take  thy  crown." 

"I  feel  that  we  shall  not  be  cast  off  in  old  age.''  "I 
have  not  the  intense  suffering  that  some  have  had.  which 
is  a  great  mercy.     The  Lord  is  merciful  and  gracious.'' 

Fijth  month  /j.  "I  possess  my  strength  in  quiet  and 
confidence."  "Bread  of  Life  is  what  we  need."  "H  I 
had  not  a  little  light  and  hope  I  would  have  to  give  up, 
all  I  can  say  is  may  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
be  with  thee.''  "Messages  from  friends  have  been  grate- 
ful.'' "If  all  has  been  done  that  can  be  done,  that  is  all 
there  is  of  it."  "Watch  over  me  for  good.'',  "I  have  a 
sweet  hope  of  a  glorious  inheritance  in  that  home  not 
made  with  hands,  and  the  Lord  God  Himself  is  the  light 
thereof." 

"My  chest  is  very  sore,  but  I  am  not  hopeless.  I  await 
the  pleasure  of  the  Almighty."  When  asked  if  he  felt 
that  his  Heavenly  Father  was  about  to  take  him  home. 
he  responded.  "You  have  done  what  you  could.'"    After 


Age  75      DIARY   AND    CORRESPONDENCE         497 

this  date  most  of  the  time  was  spent  in  a  heavy  sleep 
until  life  quietly  and  sweetly  ebbed  away. 

His  patience,  forbearance  and  sweetness  of  spirit,  all 
served  as  an  instructive  object  lesson  to  those  about  him 
and  Fifth  month  18th,  1905,  he  truly  might  have  adopted 
the  language,  "I  am  now  ready  to  be  offered  and  the 
time  of  my  departure  is  at  hand.  I  have  fought  a  good 
fight,  I  have  finished  my  course,  I  have  kept  the  faith, 
henceforth  there  is  laid  up  for  me  a  crown  of  righteous- 
ness, which  the  Lord  the  righteous  judge,  shall  give  me 
at  that  day.  And  not  to  me  only  but  unto  all  them  also 
that  love  his  appearing.'' 

Thus  closed  a  most  active,  useful  and  interesting  life. 
It  was  a  life  rich  in  experience,  a  life  spent  in  fearlessly 
pursuing  whatever  he  felt  to  be  required  of  him,  and  in 
fervently  serving  his  blessed  Master  and  Redeemer. 

The  funeral,  held  in  the  Meeting  House  at  Fourth  and 
Arch  Streets,  Philadelphia,  was  attended  by  a  large  num- 
ber of  Friends  and  others — who  bore  appropriate  testi- 
mony to  the  life  now  ended.  Not  a  few  in  the  humbler 
walks  of  life  were  present ;  one  of  whom  remarked,  with 
much  feeling,  as  she  approached  the  room  in  which  his 
mortal  form  was  seen  for  the  last  time,  "Oh !  I  have  lost 
such  a  true  friend." 

The  solemnity  of  this  occasion  was  in  keeping  with  his 
spiritual  character. 

His  pastoral  gift  has  scarcely  been  exceeded  by  any  in 


498  JOSEPH   S.   ELKINTON  i905 

his  generation.  He  had  given  of  his  time,  strength, 
money  and  sympathy  to  those  who  were  in  need  without 
respect  to  creed  or  condition — fulfilling  his  favorite  text 
concerning  the  visiting  of  "the  widow  and  the  fatherless" 
— and  the  City  of  Brotherly  Love,  in  which  he  had  lived 
more  than  three  score  years  and  ten,  felt  the  passing  of 
his  kind  and  unique  personality  from  its  highways. 


INDEX 


Abbott,    George    Sr.,    Fu- 
neral  of    248 

Abbott,  Ruth  S 222 

Address   to   the    Board    of 
Education     on     Military 

Training    350 

Allen,  Charles  J 175 

Allen,  Elizabeth   120,  180 

Allen, Rebecca  S.,  Letter  to, 
from  Cynthia  Gordon.  .197-8 

Allen,  Richard  J 331 

Allen,  Samuel  3,  159 

Ambleside,   visited    139 

Annuities    to     Seneca    In- 
dians     215 

Arch    St.    Meeting,    Situa- 
tion of  considered 118 

Archer,  Herbert  395,  397 

Armfield,  Joseph 147,  148 

Ashurst,  Dr.,  Attends  Ra- 
chel E.  Patterson 200 

Bacon,  John  (of  England)   134 
Bail,     Susan     O.     (Seneca 

Indian)    211 

Bailey,   Moses    8 

Baltimore,  Lady,   Story  of 
her    meeting    with    Wm. 
Penn  at  Third  Haven..  273 
Baltimore,  Meeting  of  col- 
ored people  at 174 

Visited    by    J.     S.    E. 
after  the  great  fire. 475-6 
Baptism,  Infant,  witnessed 

by  J.  S.  E 487 

Barker,  Simeon  468 

Barton,  Clara,  and  the  Red 

Cross  work   301-307 

Barton,  Lafayette  165 

Bedell,  William,  Letter  to.     78 
Bedell,    Sarah    J.,    sat    as 
mother    at    marriage    of 

Alfred   Elkinton    221 

Death  of   421 


Bellows,  Elizabeth,  Arrival 

in  America   422 

Mention  of   447 

Bellows,  John  ..385,  447 

Arrival  in  America. . .  422 

Bellows,   Philip    422 

Bellows,  William  398,  403 

Benedict,  Michael  183 

Benezet,  Anthony,  and 
education      of       colored 

people    369 

Bettle,  Samuel  .34,  61,  102,  120 

Biddle  John   W 331 

Bigkettle,  Charley  (Seneca 

Indian),   Funeral  of....  216 
Big  Thunder  (Indian  chief)  461 
Birmingham    Monthly 
Meeting,      Families      of, 
visited  by  J.   S.   E.,  and 

others    253-4 

Blackchief,  Simon  (Seneca 

Indian)    213 

Blacksnake,  Owen  (Seneca 
Indian).. 81,  87,  162,  180,  228 
Estimate  of  the  Bible.   181 

Blacksnake,   Robert    228 

Blacksnake,  William    164 

Blinkev,  A.  B 161 

Bonwill,  Huldah  H.,  Fu- 
neral arrangements  for, 

489,  491 
"Book    of    Heaven"    name 
given  by  Flat  Head   In- 
dians to  the  Bible 356-7 

Bowerman,  Judah 349 

Braithwaite,  J.  Bevan,  vis- 
its J.  S.  E 218 

Branson.  Ann,  Close  reli- 
gious  service    61 

Bucks  Quarterly  Meeting, 
Service  by  J.  S.  E.  with- 
in   its   limits 236 

Burlington,  N.  J.,  Appoint- 
ed  meeting  at 375 


499 


500 


INDEX 


Cadbury,   Joel    331 

Cain  Quarterly  Meeting, 
Service  by  J.  S.  E.,  with- 
in  its   limits 236 

Campbell,  G.  W.,  Canadian 
official    385,  393 

Canada     Yearly     Meeting,., 
visited  by  J.  S.  E 444 

Cantrell,  Nicholas  (Vicar- 
General  of  Roman  Cath- 
olics), visited  by  J.  S.  E.  334 

Carey,  James    174 

Cartland,  Joseph  and  Ger- 
trude    281-2 

Casey,  J.  C,  and  Wilson, 
John  A.  B.,  Presbyters 
of  Del.,  who  assisted  J. 
S.  E.  and  J.  E.  Rhoads..  268 

Catawissa,  Pa.,  Meeting  at  185 

Central  Theater  Fire,  Vic- 
tims of  280 

Chapman,  John  M 137,  138 

"Charleston  Fund,"  its  his- 
tory revived   206 

Chester  and  Lancaster 
Counties,  J.  S.  E.  has 
concern  to  visit 359 

Children,  Concern  of  J.  S. 
E.  in  relation  to 245 

Christian  League  345,  448 

Christmas,  Ben   468 

Churchill,  Catharine,  Reli- 
gious experiences  of....  464 

Churchman,  John,  former 
neiehborhood  visited  bv 
J.  S.  E '.360 

Chursoniva,  Polio  (Douk- 
hobor  woman).  Letter 
from   438 

Civil  War  Recollections,  by 
Thomas   La  Forte 457 

Cleveland,  Grover,  Visit 
to,  by  J.  S.  E 375-6 

Clergyman,  Interview  with, 
on  cars  103 

Collins,  Sarah  A 180 

Colored  Institute,  Com- 
mencement exercises  of.  368 


Comfort,  David,  goes  with 
J.  S.  E.  to  Tunesassa...  259 

Comfort,  John  S 122 

Comfort,  Moses,  Death  of  102 
Conanicut  Island,  Trip  to.  370 

Conrow,  Anna  28 

Death  of   157 

Cook,  George  (of  Eng- 
land)    132 

Cooper,  Horatio  G.,  Let- 
ter to,  by  J.  S.  E 84 

Cope,  Alfred,  i^etter  from 
J.    S.    E.    in    regard    to 

militarv  service  45 

Letter  to  J.  S.  E 68 

Relation     of     personal 
experience  with  Ro- 
man Catholic  priest.  233 
Cope,  Ann   (wife  of  Sam- 
uel)           8 

Cope,  Debbie   180 

Cope,  Alorris   180 

Cope,  Samuel 8,  61,    76 

Cornplanter    Reservation. .   164 

Cornelius,  Thomas  65 

Cowperthwaite,  Wm.  C 347 

Cozens,  Eliza,  Anecdote  of    95 
Cozens,  Susan,  Funeral  of.  184 

Crerar,  James  406,  439 

Crossfield,  Alfred 133 

Crossfield.   Henry   ....  132,  133 
Grouse,  Susan  (Seneca  In- 
dian)      162 

Cuban     School     Teachers 

visit  America  421 

Coflfee,      Betsy      (Indian) 

Anecdote  of  182 

Cyclone  visits  Philadelphia  220 

Dale.  J.  J.,  &  Co.  (mer- 
chants on  Sea  Islands)  .315-6 

Daniel,  James,  Anecdote  of    40 

Davidson.  Henry  (bishop), 
Amusing  experience  in 
search  of  361-2 

Deacon,  Sarah  A.,  Death 
of   186-7 

Dean.  Elwood. . .  .185.   186, 

187.  188,  189,  191,  228,  257 


INDEX 


501 


Devonshire     House,     Lon- 
don, visited  by  J.  S.  E...    147 
Dewees,  Aaron  (Jr.)  ••225,  227 

Dewees,  Aaron  P 163, 

164,  212,  213,  214,  225,  227 

Narrow  escape  at  time 

of   Tunesassa   fire. . .  227 

Dewees,  Jesse  . .  185-6,  189,  191 

DeWolf,  T.  S.384,  386,  391,  393 

Dillingham,  John  H...285, 

459,  472,  490 
Ditzler,  William  U.99,  102, 

204,  223,  327,  347 
Early  religious  experi- 
ences     342-3 

Anecdote  of   204 

Death  of   360 

Doukhobor  Hymn,  trans- 
lated  into   English 389 

Doukhobor  Migration.  .383-422 
Dover,  Delaware,  Observa- 
tions on  prisons  there..  267 
"Drafting"'    for   the    Army 

in  time  of  Civil  War. ...     41 
Dunn,  Elizabeth  C 375 

Earlham  College,  visited 
by  J.  S.  E 345 

Edgerton,  Anna,  Letter 
from  J.  S.  E.  after  death 
of  Joseph  Edgerton 69 

Edgerton,  Anna  M.,  Death 
of  361 

Edgerton,  Joseph,  speaks 
at  marriage  of  Jos.  S. 
Elkinton  to  Malinda  Pat- 
terson         29 

iNlention  of  death  of..     69 

Elkinton,  Five  brothers  of 
the  name  seen  in  Eng- 
land      148 

Elkinton,  Alfred.. 327,  347,  366 
Marriage   of    to    Abby 
Walton   221-2 

Elkinton,  Anna  R.,  Birth 
of  255 

Elkinton,  Asa,  Sickness 
and  death  of 11-14 


Reflections  on  the  death 

of  15 

Elkinton,   Edith    (daughter 

of  Alfred).  Death  of...  327 
Elkinton,    Edith    (wife    of 
George  Elkinton),  Death 

of  59 

Elkinton.    Ernest    (son    of 

Alfred),  Death  of 479 

Elkinton,  George 59,  61 

Elkinton,      Joseph       (Jr.), 
spends   summer  in  Iowa 

and  Ohio  154 

Goes  to  New  England 
with  G.  J.  S.  and  J. 

S.  E 159 

First  appearance  in  the 

ministry   201 

Marriage  to  Sarah  W. 

Passmore  208 

Mention  of... 232,  235, 

239,  240,  284,  347,  366 
Acknowledged      as      a 

minister    235 

Ministry  of  ..243,  249, 

252, 255, 284, 285,  328,  338 
Goes    to    Muncy    with 

David  Heston 258 

Travels  to  Doukhobor 
country       with       H. 

Moreland  444 

Starts  to  Japan 490 

Elkinton,  Joseph  (Sr.), 

Hospitality   of 8 

Accompanies     William 
Evans    on     religious 

service 16 

Letter    to   Jos.    S.    El- 
kinton        28 

Retires  from  business.     34 
Letter  concerning  visit 

to  Indians 65,  74 

Last  illness  and  death. 78-80 
Tribute    to,    from    In- 
dians        80 

Elkinton,  Joseph  Passmore, 

Birth  announced   235 

Elkinton,  Joseph  S. 

Birth  and  parentage...       1 


502 


INDEX 


Early  religious  impres- 
sions    1,  2,  etc. 

First  schools 2 

Sent  to  W'esttown 5 

Marvelous       escapes 

from  injur}-..!!,   19,    21 
Reflections  on  twenty- 
first   birthday 16 

Business  venture  at 
Seve  n  t  e  e  n  t  h  and 
Hamilton  Streets  . .  17-18 

First  trip  to  Ohio 18 

First  appearance  in  the 

ministry   23 

Thoughts  of  marriage.    24 

Trip  to  Boston 24-27 

Marriage    29 

Enrolled    for    military 

duty 36 

Drafted  into  the  Army    43 
Declines  military  serv- 
ice  on   conscientious 

grounds 43 

Correspondence  in   re- 
lation thereto  ...  .44,  etc. 
Interview     with     Pro- 
vost Marshal 46-54 

Paroled  and  set  at  lib- 

.    erty   56 

Letter   from  Secretary 

of  War 57 

Sermon     in     Western 

District  Meeting   ...     62 
Business  trip  to  Rich- 
mond, Va.  and  Pet- 
ersburg       63 

Experience  in  Wash- 
ington on  "hat  hon- 
or"      70 

Acknowledged  as  min- 
ister of  the  Gospel..     73 
Moved  to  783  S.  Sec- 
ond Street 76 

Embarrassing  experi- 
ence at  Muncy 76 

Takes  sea  voyage 82 

Appointed    on    Indian 

Committee 85 

Visits  Tunesassa 85 


Drawn  for  Grand  Jury    90 
Liberated    for    service 
in    Haddonfield 

Quarter    93 

Business   trip   to    New 

York  96 

Goes  with  \\llliam  U. 
Ditzler    to    Concord 

Quarter    99 

Interview    with    a 
clergvman     on      the 

cars" 103-108 

At   funeral  of  Wesley 

Aleeker  109 

Visits  New  England..   HI 
Service  at  the  grave  of 

W.  P.  Walton 113 

Visits    families    of 

Stroudsburg    122 

Removes  to  331  South 

Fifth  Street 123 

Services  in  Frankford, 

Mo.  Mtg 126 

Rents   house  of   Ame- 
lia Leeds   126 

Concern  to  visit  ]Mun- 

cy  Meeting   126 

Proposes  European 

trip  128 

Departure 130 

Experiences  abroad. 131-154 
Takes    son    Joseph    to 
New  England....  159-160 

Muncy  visited    160 

Minute    to    visit    Ohio 

Yearly  Meeting 160 

Goes  to  Tunesassa  with 
address  to  Indians, 

161-169 

Visits  Iowa  169-170 

Concern  to  visit  parts 
of      Maryland      and 

Virginia   173 

Interesting  experiences 

in  Baltimore  174-6 

Visits  Indians  on  Long 

Island  182 

Also  of  Canada 183 


INDEX 


503 


Liberated  for  service 
in  Exeter  and  Muncy.  184 

At  Tunesassa  188-190 

Begins  service  on  Long 
Island   194 

Rents  house  248  South 
Third  Street 203 

Obtains  m  i  n  ut  e  for 
Southern  New  Jersej'  203 

At  Reading  Meeting..  204 

Attends  marriage  of 
son  Joseph 208 

Visits  Indian  Reserva- 
tions in  S.  W.  New 
York    216-7 

Opens  concern  for  col- 
ored people  of  Phila- 
delphia      217 

Goes  with  Hannah 
Stratton  to  Eastern 
Penitentiary 219 

Visits  families  of  Up- 
per Springfield  IMeet- 
ing  223 

Goes  to  Tunesassa  at 
time  of  fire 224-7 

Proposed  to  join  El- 
wood  Dean  in  reli- 
gious  service   228 

Again  visits  Tunesassa 
and  Northern  Ohio.  232 

Concern  for  service  in 
Bucks  and  Cain 
Quarters,  especiallj' 
among  Mennonites. .  236 

Appointed  meeting  at 
Crosswicks    248 

At  meeting  of  Norwe- 
gians South  Second 
Street    250 

Liberated  to  visit  fam- 
ilies of  Birmingham 
Mo.  Mtg 253 

Brief  visit  to  Tunesassa  259 

Began  religious  service 
in  Delaware  and 
Marvland  with  J.  E. 
Rhoads  267 


Calls  on  Mayor  E.  S. 
Stuart  275 

Trip  to  Ne^y  England.281-3 

Attends  sitting  of  New 
York  Yearly  Meeting  283 

Concern  to  accompany 
Joseph  Walton  to 
New  York 284 

Liberated  for  service  in 
New  England 286 

Concern  to  appoint 
public  meetings  in 
Philadelphia   291 

Carries  relief  to  Sea 
Islands  ..._ 293-326 

Visits  Jewish  s\'na- 
gogue    328 

Visits  Eastern  Peni- 
tentiary    330 

Appointed  on  commit- 
tee to  prepare  ad- 
dress  on  militarj^ 
spirit,  etc 331 

Active  in  distributing 
address   332-340 

Set  at  liberty  to  attend 
Ohio  and  Western 
Yearly  Meetings 343 

Concern  to  appoint 
meetings  in  Chester 
and  Lancaster  Coun- 
ties    348 

Trip  to  Conanicut  Isl- 
and    370 

Visits  Grover  Cleve- 
land    375-6 

Goes  with  delegation 
to  present  memorial 
to  President  Mc- 
Kinley  377-8 

Liberated  to  meet 
Doukhobors    383 

Starts  on  second  trip 
to  Doukhobors 393 

Third  trip  to  Canada 
to  meet  Doukhobors  396 

First  trip  to  Douk- 
hobor  country 398 


504 


INDEX 


Second  trip  to  Douk- 
hobor  country 405 

Fourth  visit  to  Canada 
on  Doukhobor  ac- 
count    412 

Third  trip  to  Douk- 
hobor country    413 

Prospect  of  religious 
labor  in  Northern 
New  Jersey,  etc 424 

Fourth  trip  to  Douk- 
hobor country 431 

Visits  widow  of  Presi- 
dent McKinley 431-2 

Attends  Canada  Yearlv 
Meeting    444 

Calls  on  President 
Roosevelt 447 

Obtains  minute  to  visit 
Indians  in  New 
York,  New  England 
and  Nova  Scotia. . . .  449 

Visits  Baltimore  after 
the  fire  475 

Obtains  minute  for 
service  in  Goshen 
]\Io.  Mtg.  and  in 
Mining  districts  of 
Pennsylvania 477 

Goes  to  Nantucket  to 
attend  funeral  of 
Huldah   H.  Bonwill, 

489,  491 

Attends  Philadelphia 
Yearly  Meeting  ....  494 

Sickness,     last     hours 

and  death 493-7 

Elkinton,  Joseph  S.,  and 
Thomas,  firm  name 
adopted 34 

Give     dinner     to     em- 

plovees 346-7 

Elkinton.  Malinda.122,  131, 
137,    145,    150.    208.    229, 

231,  250,  291,  476 

Letter  from,  on  death 
of  son  Thomas 92 

Entertains  relatives   . .  474 


Elkinton,  Mary  (Nutt). 

Accident  to  9 

Anecdote  of   30 

Death  of 60 

Elkinton,    Mar}-,    marriage 

with  Inazo  Nitobe 266 

Elkinton.  Phebe  A 180 

Death  of   412 

Elkinton,  Rebecca  (daugh- 
ter of  Joseph  and  Sarah 
W.) 

Death  of   ._.  285 

Elkinton,  Rebecca  S.  (wife 
of  Thomas). 

Death  of 430 

Elkinton,  Sarah,  Service  at 

Tunesassa    22 

^larried     to     Ephraim 

Smith    76 

Elkinton,  Thomas. 

Injury  in  childhood...       4 

^larriage    8 

"Hat    Honor"'    experi- 
ences in  Philadelphia 

court- room    116 

Meets  travelers  at  New 

York 154 

Attends      meeting      at 

Baltimore 175 

Death  of 430 

Elkinton.  Thomas  (son  of 
J.  S.  E.). 

Birth  of  n 

Illness  and  death  of..  91-2 
Elkinton,  William  T. 

Accompanies  J.    S.    E. 

to  New  England....   Ill 
Mention  of. 

208.  347,  349,  366,  448 
Admitted    to    firm    of 

J.  S.  &  T.  Elkinton.  223 
Marriage  with  Eleanor 

Rhoads  229 

Ellis.  Esther  A 1 

Emlen,  James  and  Sarah, 
Influence  of,  at  West- 
town    6 

Emlen,   Samuel    285 

England,  William,  and  wife  391 


INDEX 


505 


Epizooty  among  the  horses  119 
Esterbrook,  Richard. .  .208,  231 

Death  of 344 

European  trip  proposed. . .   128 
\'aried  experiences.  131-154 
Evans,  Dr.  Charles. 

Attends   Mary    (Xutt) 

Elkinton  9 

Physician  for  J.  S.  E. .     18 
Mention  of.... 42,  100, 

118,  120,  128,  159 
Evans,  Elizabeth. 

Ministry  of.. 9,  10,  33,     76 
Evans,  Elizabeth  R....209,  285 

Evans,  Thomas   42 

Evans,  WilHam  (Sr.). 

Religious  service  in  In- 
diana and  Iowa 16 

Evans,  William. .  .159,  401,  463 
Accompanies   J.    S.    E. 
on    relief    expedition 
to  Sea  Islands... 293-326 
Goes     to     Doukhobor 
country  399 

Farrell,  David,  Funeral  of.   122 

Fell,  ^larshall 180 

Flat  Head  Indians,  Story 
of   their   search    for   the 

"Book  of  Heaven" 356-7 

Fowler,  Esther 222 

Fox,  Norman  425-6 

Flushing,  Long  Island, 
visited  in  course  of  reli- 
gious service 194 

"Friend,  The,"'  Bound  vols. 

welcomed  to  Earlham. ,  .  244 
Friends'  Book  Store,  Pro- 
posed changes  in  156 

Friends'  Select  School,  vis- 
ited by  J.  S.  E 101 

Furness  Abbey  visited 137 

Gibbons,  Hannah 102 

Gibbons,  H.  0 235 

Gidley,  Job  S.,  Goes  with 
J.   S.  E.  to  meet  Douk- 

hobors 384 

Mention  of... 387,  388, 
391,  394,  459,  463,  489,  491 


Gillespie     Thomas,     shows 

Union  League  to  J.  S.  E.  372 
Goto,    Governor    of    For- 
mosa     446 

Gordon,  Cynthia 190 

Letter  from,  concern- 
ing daughter 196 

Letter   concerning 

membership 197 

Letter  to,  from  J.  S.  E.  202 
Visit    to,   by   J.    S.    E. 

and  G.  J.  S 211 

Mention  of... 214,  226,  228 

Goudy,  Charles   283 

Gould,     Theodore,     Anec- 
dote  of    275 

Graham,    Elizabeth    144 

Graham,   Ellen    145,  146 

Graham,  William  136,  143 

Grasmere,  visited   140 

Green,  Foster  151-2 

Green,  William   152 

Grellett,  Stephen,  visit  to 
Russia  in  1818,  remem- 
bered by  aged  Douk- 
hobor   390,  415 

Gross,  John    (Mennonite) .  237 

Haines,  Job,  Uneasy  with 
ministry  of  Richard  Jor- 
dan         72 

Haines,  John  G.,  Goes  with 
J.  S.  E.  to  New  England  111 
Accompanies  J.   S.   E. 
in   service   in   Phila- 
delphia     292 

Mention  of... 200,  291,  335 
Haines,  Zebedee. 

Visits  families  of  Bir- 
mingham   Mo.    Mtg. 

with  J.  S.  E 253-4 

Goes  with  J.  S.  E.  to 
visit  Indians  in  New 
York,  New  England 
and  Nova  Scotia.453-471 

Mentioned     472 

Half  town,  Harrison  (Sen- 
eca Indian)    81,  259 

Half  town,  Isaac   87 


506 


INDEX 


Halftown,  Jefferson 214 

Hall,  Nathan  P 222 

Harris,  Elizabeth  Sarah...   152 

Harley,   Hugh    435 

Harvev,  William  B. 

Visits   the   Doukhobor 

country     405 

Mention  of    408,  411 

Hastings,    Horace   L 282 

Hathaway,  Phebe  36 

"Hat  Honor,"  Experience 
of  J.  S.  E.  in  Washing- 
ton          71 

Of  Thomas  Elkinton 
and  Jos.  S.  Elkinton 
in  Philadelphia 

courtroom    116-7 

Herr,  Amos,  Letter  to....  241 

Heston,  David   307 

Visits  Muncy  Mo.  Mtg.  258 

Hicks,   Edward    147 

Hill,    Thomas     (St.    Regis 

Indian)     67 

Hilles,  Samuel  42 

Hilles,   William    7,     23 

Hillkoff,    Prince    (Russian 
nobleman)    ....385,   386,  400 
402,  404 
Hires,   Charles    E.    &   Co., 
Meeting    for    factory 

operatives  of    478 

Hoar,    George    F.,    visited 

by  J.  S.  E 447 

Hockett,  William,  Experi- 
ences     in      Confederate 

Army    42 

Hodgkin,  John 132 

Holgate,  Mary,  Death  of.  360 
Huff,     H.     (Indian     inter- 
preter)    165,  166 

Huff,  Laura  Jimerson  (In- 
dian)       190 

Hutchinson,  Thomas   156 

Indian  Boj's,  Anecdote  of.  458 
Indian  History,  Papers  re- 
lating   to,    presented    to 
Indian  Committee  261 


Indians  of  Alleghany  Res- 
ervation, Letter  of,  con- 
cerning Joseph  Elkinton.     80 
\'isit  to,  by  J.    S.   El- 
kinton and  others, 

161-169 

Ingalls,  Dr 386 

Iowa  Friends,  Impressions 

of 169 

Ireland,  Brief  visit  to,  by 

J.  S.  E 151-2 

Irwin,  George.  Remarks  at 

dinner  to   employees....  347 
Ivan,  Ivan  (Doukhobor)..  407 

Jackson,      Jesse      (Seneca 
Indian)   166 

Jansen,  Peter. 400,  430,  431, 

435,  442-3 

Jesus   Christ,   Jewish   atti- 
tude toward   339-340 

Jamesburg.  X.  J.,  Reform- 
atory visited  by  J.  S.  E.  Z7Z 

Jewish    Synagogue,   visited 
by  J.  S.  E 328 

Jimerson,    Laura    (Seneca 
Indian)    167 

Jimerson,  Samuel  167 

Jimerson.  Wallace    190 

John,    Alexander    (Seneca 
Indian)     162 

Jones,  Charles   444 

Jones,    Isaac 123 

Jordan,  Richard. 

Anecdote  of   72 

Judkins,   Dr.  and  wife....  222 

Justice,  Letitia  286 

Kite.  Mary   8 

Letter  to   16 

Sickness  and  death  of    31 

Kite.  Rebecca  327 

Kite,  William  180 

Koenig.  X.  G.,  Guest  of  J. 
S.  E.   486 

La    Forte,    Thomas,    Civil 

War  recollections   457 

Lancaster  Castle,  \'isited. .   135 


INDEX 


507 


Lancaster  and  Chester 
Counties,    J.    S.    E.    has 

concern  to  visit 359 

Leeds.  Amelia   126 

Leeds,  Davis.  Drowning  of  124 
Leonhardt,  Frederick.  .405, 

410,  414 
Levy,  J.   Leonard    (Jewish 

Rabbi),  Visit  to 340 

Lewis.  John   88 

Lightfoot,    Margaret,    Let- 
ter to    239 

Lincoln,    Abraham,    Anec- 
dote of,  by  Thomas  La 

Forte  457 

Lippincott,  Caleb  40 

Lippincott,  Restored 40 

Lippincott,  Richard    40 

Lippincott,      Thomas      (of 
Woodstown) ,    relates 
some    family  history....     40 
Lloyd,    Alary   Ann,    Minis- 
try    of,     serviceable     to 

Wm.  U.  Ditzler  343 

Logan,  Sim    (Indian) 167 

London,  Visit  to,  by  J.  S. 

E 146-8 

Lord's  Prayer.  Anecdote  to 
illustrate   ignorance  of..  479 

McClellan    (Gen.)    George 

B 153 

McColIin.  Dr.   S.   Mason..  490 
Attends    Malinda    El- 

kinton  208 

McCreary,  W.  F 406 

McKinley,  William   (Pres- 
ident),   Interview    with, 

by  J.  S.  E 367 

Letter  to,  by  J.  S.  E.  370-1 

Death  of   428 

McNichol,  Daniel,  railroad 

official    445 

Machartoff,    Ivan     (Douk- 

hobor  immigrant) . .  .409,  415 
Maris,    Dr.    Edward. ..  194, 

196,  331 
Masters,    Parvin.    Funeral 
of    423 


Mather,  Rachel  C 299-320 

Character  of  her  work  300 
Alauch     Chunk,     Visit     to 

coal   mines   of 482 

Meeker,  \\'esley.  Death  of  109 
Meetings      for      discipline. 

Importance  of  attending    31 
Mekeel,    William,    Travels 

with  J.  S.  Elkinton 459 

Mentioned  472 

Memorial   of   the   Meeting 

for    Sufferings,    in    1896, 

against  Military  Drill.. 351-2 

Mennonites,     Prospect     of 

service  among,   by  J.   S. 

E ....236 

Doctrines  and  practices 

of   237-8 

Methodist  ministers  visted 
by  J.  S.  E.  in  interest  of 
address    of    Philadelphia 

Quarter 333 

Military  training.  Protest 
against,   by   Meeting   for 

Sufferings    350 

Ministry,  Anecdote  to  il- 
lustrate     the      need     of 

faithfulness  in  39 

Minute   obtained   by   J.    S. 
E.    to    visit   meetings    of 
Haddonfield  Quarter  ...     93 
Of  Frankford  Monthly 

Meeting    126 

To  Ohio  Yearly  Meet- 
ing       160 

To  parts  of  Maryland 

and  Virginia  173 

For  service  in  Exeter 

and  Muncy   184 

Visit     to     Seneca     In- 
dians     and      South- 
western New  York.  209 
Obtained    by   J.    S.    E. 
for  visiting   families    * 
of   Birmingham  Mo. 

Mtg. 253 

For    service    in     New 
England   286 


508 


INDEX 


To    accompany    Douk- 
h  o  b  o  r  s     to     their 
Canadian  homes   . . .  398 
For  service  in  North- 
ern New  Jersey,  etc.  424 
To     visit     Indians     in 
New  York,  New 
England    and    Nova 
Scotia   .............  452 

For  service  in  limits 
of  Goshen  Meeting 
and  in  mining  dis- 
tricts of  Pa 477 

Montizambert,  Dr.    ...386, 

389,  399,  404 
Morgan,   William   B.,   Let- 
ter  from,   in   relation  to 

'  1  he  Friend"  243 

Moreland,  Helen,  goes  to 
teach  Doukhobor  chil- 
dren     444 

Morris,  Rachel  3 

Morris,  Samuel. ..  .74,  163, 

168,  353,  378 
Mount  Pleasant,  John, 

(Tuscarora  Indian)   68 

Murray,   Ellen 311 

Naylor,  Jacob    372 

Negroes  of  the  South, 
Observations  on,  in  1865     63 

Newton,  Thomas 136 

Newton,  Mary  135 

New  Year's  Parade,  Re- 
flections on   277,  446 

New  York  Yearly  Meeting 
at   Poughkeepsie,   visited 

by  J.  S.  E 283 

Nicholson,  Lindsay, 

Funeral  of    75 

Nicholson,      Rebecca     and 

Sarah    229 

Nicholson,   Richard    134 

Nitobe,     Inazo.     marriage 

with  Mary  Elkinton 266 

Nitobe,  Mary  (Elkinton), 
Returns  to  America  on 
visit    284 


No-Heart,  Abraham  (Da- 
kota Indian),  Letter 
from,  explaining  Indian 
religion     266 

Norway,  Address  to 
Friends  in   449-452 

Nova  Scotia  Indians,  Ob- 
servations on    465-9 

Nutt,  Sarah,  Death  of....  157-8 

Ohio  Yearlv  Meeting,  Visit 

to,  by  J.  S.  E.,  in  1878. .  161 

Oke,  John  James 469 

Onesakenrat,    Joseph    (In- 
dian chief).  Letter  to...  181 
Death  of   183 

Overholzer,  Isaac  238 

Parents  and  children,  Con- 
cern of  J.  S.  E.  in  rela- 
tion to 245 

Passmore,  Benjamin  W. ..  257 

Death  of   371 

Passmore,  Sarah  W.,  mar- 
riage to  Joseph  Elkinton  208 
Pastorius,    Francis   Daniel, 

and  slavery  368 

Patterson,  Faith    222 

Patterson,  George 281 

Patterson,    Malinda,    visits 

Philadelphia    24 

Marriage  to  J.   S.   El- 
kinton        29 

Patterson,  Mahlon   222 

Patterson,  Mary   29 

Patterson,    Rachel,    Death 

of   95 

Patterson,  Rachel  E.,  Let- 
ter to    19 

At  North  Meeting....   129 
Ministry    at    her    hus- 
band's  funeral 179 

Serious  accident  to...  2(X) 
Mention  of  .  .231,  250. 

257,  277 
Last  illness  and  death, 

289-291 
Patterson,    Tilman,    Death 
of   179 


INDEX 


509 


Patterson,  Tilman    (Jr.)..   180 
Patterson,    William    (Sen- 
eca Indian)   190 

Payne,  D.  A.   (Bishop)...  281 
Pedley,     Frank      (superin- 
tendent Canadian  Ry.), 

395,  399 
Petersburg,  \  a.,  visited  bv 

J.   S.   E -.     63 

Pickard,       Daniel.       visits 

America   94 

Mention  of...  134,  136, 

139,  141.  142,  143 
Pickard,  Eliza. ...  137,  139, 

140,  142 

Pickard,   Lucy 135 

Pierce,  James 165 

Pierce,      James       (Seneca 

Indian)    86 

Pierce,  King .'.[   165 

Pitfield.  Elizabeth  28 

Pratt,  Hodgson  (of  Eng- 
land),   on    Universal 

^  Peace 358 

Prepelkofif,     Ivan     (Douk- 

hobor)    440 

Princess  Ann,  Md.,  Expe- 
riences among  prisoners 

in  the  jail 271 

Pullman,  George,  assistant 
to  Clara  Barton  at  Sea 
Islands    301 

Quay,  Matthew  S.,  visited 

by  J.  S.  E 447 

Queries,   Importance  of...  240 

Randall,  Samuel  J.,  assists 
J.  S.  E.  in  tariff  matter 

at  Washington 71 

Letter  to,  by  J.  S.  E..  246 

Red  Cross  Association 
work  at  Sea  Islands  un- 
der Clara  Barton 301-307 

Religion  in  the  United 
States,  Conference  in  re- 
lation to  262 

"Returning  Minutes,"  from 
New  England  meetings.  287 


Rhoads,  Charles,  Letter  to, 
from  J.  S.  E.,  after  death 

of  Joseph  Elkinton 81 

Mention  of... 242,  248 

327,  348,  378,  412 

Death  of   447 

Rhoads.  Deborah 209,  258 

Rhoads.  Eleanor,  marriage 
with  William  T.  Elkin- 
ton    229 

Rhoads,  James  E..163,  165, 

167,  169,  203,  331 

Rhoads,  Jonathan  E..  203. 

204,    217,    218.    230,    266, 

276,    278,    345',    346,    353, 

358,    359,    364,    373.    380, 

419,  427,  463,  478,  486 
E  X  t  e  n  s  ive    religious 
service   in    Delaware 
and  Marvland  ...267-274 
Letter   to   Jos.    S.    El- 
kinton    278-9 

Visits      Doukhobors 

with  J.  S.  E 413-9 

Unites  with  J.  S.  E.  in 
religious  service  in 
Northern  New  Jer- 
sey,   etc 424 

Rhoads,  Joseph,  visits  fam- 
i  1  i  e  s  of  Birmingham 
Monthly  Meeting  with  J. 

S.   E 253.  254 

Richmond,   \a.,  visited  by 

J.    S.    E 63 

River  Brethren,  Experi- 
ences among 251 

Roaring  Creek,  Meeting  at  186 

Roberts.  Esther  231 

Roberts,    Hiram,    Funeral 

of  479 

Roberts,  Jacob,  accompa- 
nies   J.    S.    E.    to    Ohio 

Yearlv  Meeting  161 

Roberts,   Phebe   290 

Roman  Catholics,  attitude 
toward  appointed  meet- 
ing of  Friends 327 

Roosevelt,  Theodore,  In- 
terview with,  by  J.  S.  E.  447 


510 


INDEX 


Ryan,  Patrick  John  (Arch- 
bishop)      533 

Salem    Quarterly    ^Meeting, 
Ohio,  visited  by  J.  S.  E.. 

170-171 
Salisbury,  Del.,  experiences 
at  public  meetings  there, 

269,  270 
Sawyer,  Henry,  Civil  War 

experiences   207 

Scattergood,  George  J.  159, 
160,    175,    182,    210,    214, 

216,  261,  331,  490 
Delivers    Gospel    tem- 
perance sermon   ....  216 

Scattergood,  Joseph 41, 

42,  65,  73,    74 
Hurried  visit  to  Wash- 
ington      122 

Death  of 262 

Scattergood,    Thomas, 

Anecdote  of   34 

Scattergood,  William,  Let- 
ter to,  by  J.  S.  E....  78.  79-80 

Scotton,  Robert 7,    23 

Sea   Islands,   visited   by   J. 
S.     Elkinton    and     Wm. 

Evans    293-326 

Nature    and    cause    of 
the  disaster  (note)  293-4 

Sellew,   C.   Virginia 327 

Sellew,    Edwin    P.    and    C. 

Virginia,  Letter  to 192-3 

Sellew,  Edwin  P.. 331,  332, 

335,  348 
Seneca     Indians,     Land 

Troubles  122,  210 

Improvement  in  use  of 
English  language. .  .453-4 
Senega  Root,  a  product  of 

Doukhobor  industry  ....  417 
Seward,    William    H.,    be- 
friends Seneca  Indians..  458 
Sewel's   History,   how   one 

copy  was  useful 27 

Sharpless,    Enos,    Funeral 
of   72 


Sharpless,  Enos  and  Han- 
nah           8 

Sharpless,  Xathan    5 

Sheppard.  Clarkson.93,  119, 

124,   199,  209,  254,  290 

Death  of   344 

Shillitoe,  Thomas,  Anec- 
dote of  30 

Shinn,  Samuel  E. 

Death  of,  by  drowning    21 

Smart,  James    386,  442 

Smith,    Ephraim,    married 

to   Sarah  Elkinton 76 

Xote  concerning   119 

Mention  of... 285,  331. 

346,  353,  486 
Goes  to  England  with 
Jonathan  E.  Rhoads  345 
Smith,  Evan,  religious  op- 
portunity   at    house    of.   170 
Smith,    Gideon,    neighbor- 
hood visited    173 

Smith,  Hannah    (Tyler), 

Funeral  of 177 

Her      family     connec- 
tions    177 

Smith.  Louisa 226 

Smith.  Sarah   (Elkinton), 

Sickness  and  death  of.  421 

Snowdon.  Joseph    34 

Snow  Hill.  X.  J.,  Experi- 
ences of  J.  S.  E.  at  ap- 
pointed meeting 94 

Solomon,  Alexander    470 

Solomon,      Mitchell      (St. 

Regis  Indian)    68 

Southern   District   Meeting, 
Laying  down  first  con- 
sidered       118 

Authorized    by    Phila- 
delphia Quarter 120 

Formally    attached    to 

Arch    Street    121 

Special  Providences,  Some 

instances  related  ....109,  154 
Stanton,  Edwin  M.,  Secre- 
tary of  War.  Letter  from     57 

Stewardson.  Thomas  34 

Stokes,  John   S 72,  180 


INDEX 


511 


Death  of   '. . .  283 

Stokes,  Dr.  Newlin,  At- 
tends Rachel  E.  Patter- 
son    200 

Stratton,  Dillivyn,  goes 
with  J.   S.  E.  to   Douk- 

hobor  country 432-4 

Stratton,     Hai^iah,     visits 

Eastern   Penitentiary 219 

Stratton,  Joseph,  Letter  to, 

191-2 

Stravvbndge,  Justus  C 367 

Stroudsburg,  Pa.,   Sojourn 

^at   110 

Stuart,    Edwin    S.,    visited 

by  J.  S.  E 275 

"Sunday  Breakfast"  Asso- 
ciation      347 

Swarthmore    Meeting    and 

Hall  visited  137 

Sykes,  John,  visits  Ameri- 
ica    94 

Tamaqua,  Pa.,  Visit  to 482 

Tatum,  William 123 

Thomas,  James  Carey,  and 

wife  177 

Thomasson,  Joseph 486 

Thompson,      Francis      (of 

England)    132 

Thompson,  Jabez 8 

Thompson,  Josiah   134,  153 

Thompson,  Sarah  2 

Thorn,  Barton,  goes  with 
J.  S.  E.  to  visit  Gov- 
ernor of  New  Jersey...  373 

Tolstoi,   Sergius    394 

Townsend,  William  P. 202, 

239   359 
Tunesassa,    visited    by    E.' 

Dean  and  J.  S.  E 190 

Visit  by  J.   S.  E.   and 

G.  J.  S 212 

Destroyed  by  fire 224-7 

Visited  by  J.  S.  E.  and 

Zebedee  Haines 453 

Turnpenny,  Joseph  280 

Tuscarora  Indian  Reserva- 
tion, Meeting  at 455 


Vail,   Abigail    327 

Vail,  Benjamin... 285,  328,  331 
Verigm,  Xastasia   (mother 
of  Peter  Verigin)  . .  .416,  437 

\  engm,  Peter 416,  463 

Wagner,  Charles,  guest  of 

,  J-   S.  E 486 

VVallace,  Dr 131,  149,  151 

Wallace,    Susan    131,  149 

Walton,     Abby,     marriage 
with   Alfred   Elkinton.  .221-2 

Walton,  Anna    347 

Walton,  Joseph,   at   West- 
town   5.5 

Accompanies   J.    S.    E. 
on     sea     voyage     to 

Florida  8^ 

Writes  to  J.   S.   E.'in 

England   143 

Companion  in  visit  to 

Iowa  and  Ohio 170 

Visits  Indians  of  Can- 

,  ada  183 

Labors   with   J.    S.    E. 
among  Mennonites..  236 

Mention  of 235  240 

284,  288,  307 

Walton,  Mary  S 327 

^^■alton,  Samuel  and  Sarah  2?? 
Walton,  W.  P.,  Funeral  of  113 
Warner,    Charles,    accom- 
panies J.   S.   E.  to  Bos- 
ton       24 

Warner,  Yardley 61 

Warrington,  Hannah 61 

Warrington,    Seth,    accom- 
panies J.  S.  E.  to  Ohio..  232 
Weeks,  Abram  and  Esther 

Letter  to,  by  J.  S.  E '  101 

^Vest  Chester  Normal 
School,  Appointed  meet- 
ing at  359 

Western  District  Meeting.     62 
West    Philadelphia    Meet- 
ing House  authorized...   122 
Meeting  considered    . .    159 
Meeting     formally 
opened I6I 


512 


INDEX 


Wheeler,  Daniel,  visit  to 
Russia  in  1818  remem- 
bered    by     aged     Douk- 

hobor  390,  415 

White,  Dr.  Richard 13-4 

White,   Thomas   Lor>'. ..  .470-1 
White,  William  T.   (Cana- 
dian Immigration  Agent), 

386.  393,  395 
Whittier,  J.   G..  his  home, 

visited  by  J.  S.  E 282 

Williams,  Charles  61 

Willits.   Charles  L.,  Fund. 

223.  412 
Wilson,   John    A.    B.,   and 
Casey.  J.   C,   Presbyters 
of     Del.,     who     assisted 

visiting   Friends    268 

Wilson,  Sarah  (of  Eng- 
land)         140 


Wistar.  Thomas 65,  85.  103 

Wood.  Abigail  200 

Wood,   Henrv....l73,   174, 

175.  176,  180 

Wood.  Dr.  Stephen 194 

Woodward.  Mary 3 

Woolman,   Tohn.  and  slav- 
ery    368 

Worth.  Ebenezer 8.  65,    85 

Anecdote  of  202 

Wrightsville.     Bucks     Co.. 
Appointed  meeting  at...  366 

Yarnall.  Thomas  100 

Yearly   Meetings'  Commit- 
tee of  1872,  Service  on..   118 
Yellowblanket.    Moses. 

( Seneca  Indian)   259 

Zook,  Elhanan   204.  364 


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